US GOVT WARNS ESWATINI

EZULWINI – Is Eswatini on the brink of collapse due to too much attachment to luxury?

The question came in the form of a warning to the nation by United States Ambassador to Eswatini Lisa Peterson.
She too had quoted King Sobhuza II’s wise words, “The Roman Empire collapsed because of too much attachment to luxury, and also because of the complacency of its people.”

Peterson was speaking during the celebration of her country’s 242nd independence at the embassy yesterday.
The basis of her warning was a concern over the manner in which the country makes decisions on spending money, which she said were bad in some instances.

The ambassador noted with apprehension that government officials and oversized delegations were travelling in first or business class and spending days, sometimes weeks, in luxury hotels, using funds from public coffers.

 “Government has known for years that it needs to reduce the size of the civil service, decrease overall expenditures, and pursue policies that will foster economic growth. Instead, the public service wage bill has grown by 85 per cent in the last five years.”

She while the US wanted to help the fiscally challenged co- untry, especially on HIV/AIDS response, their resources were finite and many countries beyond Eswatini needed foreign assistance as well.

“How do we continue to justify helping out in the health sector while bad spending decisions are being made elsewhere in government?”
She was quick to point out that the necessary changes would require extraordinary political willpower, fiscal transparency at all levels and greater regulatory oversight.

Peterson said the incoming Parliament and Cabinet would have a huge task in setting the country’s economy back on track.
“This is a moment of both incredible challenge and incredible opportunity for the country. Part of the challenge is that more than half your population is under the age of 24 and the decisions government makes now will determine what kind of future these young people will have.”

The King’s representative, Prince Hlangusemphi said the country was mindful of the shrinking level of donor support and the need to maximise on the limited resources to overcome some of the challenges.

“Therefore, the task of the new Parliament will be able to consider existing opportunities, such as the millennium challenge account offered by the US government.”

He expressed confidence on the new MPs, saying they could ensure the creation of an environment that was peaceful, stable and economically vibrant enough to deliver on the aspirations of the national vision 2022.

With the deadline being only four years away, the US ambassador felt that the fiscal crisis faced by the country would “surely push any hope of reaching this goal several more years down the road”.
Peterson said while the US applauded the milestones reached in breaking the cycle of HIV transmission and the restart of AGOA, they recognised that effectively carrying this partnership forward required a new course.
The achievements that the US pointed out include the passage of amendments of the Suppression of Terrorism Act and the Industrial Relations Act and the Public Order Act. “The completely new Public Order Act is being cited as a model for other countries in the region,” she said.
She also noted the robust parliamentary and public debate that saw the passage of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Bill that is now awaiting the King’s signature.
“Building on these advances, we have this year been able to turn government’s attention to the Millennium Challenge Account, which offers the possibility of large-scale development projects. Key actors in government have quickly grasped the potential in this programme and mobilised a fully-fledged government steering committee to focus on achieving eligibility,” she said.
The MCA presents an alternative source of revenue to help the country finance its development programmes without over relying on the no longer predictable SACU receipts.
In May government indicated that it was committed to meet the requirements of the MCA and qualify for support. Such efforts included the passing of the Sexual Offenses and Domestic Violence Bill. 
The event that started at 2:30pm until 4pm, was attended by Inkhosikati LaMbikiza, Cabinet ministers, members of parliament and other dignitaries.

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