Times Of Swaziland: SADC PLEASED SITUATION CALM IN ESWATINI

SADC PLEASED SITUATION CALM IN ESWATINI
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Zinhle Matsenjwa on 12/10/2022 08:47:00


LUDZIDZINI - His Majesty King Mswati III has reportedly informed the SADC
Secretariat that the situation is calm and there is stability in Eswatini.
This was disclosed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Executive Secretary, Elias Magosi, at Ludzidzini Royal Residence yesterday when
he paid a courtesy call on the King. Prior to his address, the King said it was
important to maintain peace and stability in the region, so that the people
could develop their economies in a conducive environment. He  appreciated the
visit of the SADC executive secretary and his team (secretariat) as they would
share a lot of issues about Eswatini since the world was facing conflicts. He
said they had discussed how best they could work on maintaining peace and
stability in the country.
Aware
Again, the King said they were aware of the Regional Peace and Stability
agreement and as a nation, they needed to adhere to it. On the other hand, the
SADC executive secretary said Eswatini was an important member State of the
organisation and it contributed in many ways. He said recently, Eswatini
contributed when SADC gave support to Mozambique. “Peace and stability is
critical. I was pleased when you (King) shared that the situation had calmed and
that there was stability in the kingdom,” the SADC executive secretary said.
Peace
He emphasised that it was important to maintain peace and stability. He added
that peaceful engagements should be preserved and natured. It is worth noting
that there had been a political unrest in the country which escalated in
June/July 2021, where there were protest actions countrywide and it culminated
in violence, vandalism of property and looting of private and public properties,
including businesses, some of which were torched. In the process, dozens of
emaSwati were shot dead, allegedly by members of the State security organs, and
some of those who were affected were left with permanent disabilities.
Thereafter, there were several attacks which were carried out by unknown people
and they included arson attacks and shooting of members of the State security
organs. Some of them (members of the State security organs), mainly police, were
shot dead. This started when some emaSwati called for political reforms in the
country.