SECURITY THREATS REMAIN HIGH - ACTING PM TELLS TROIKA TEAM

MBABANE – Security threats in the country remain high.

This was said by the Acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, yesterday when he met with the delegation from the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, popularly known as Troika which was in the country on a fact-finding mission. The delegation, which had over 10 SADC ministers, was led by Botswana’s Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Dr Lemogang Kwape. When meeting the delegation at the Cabinet Offices yesterday, Masuku informed the team that currently calm had been restored in the country, although the security threats remained high. He, however, said the rioting and looting that was observed last week had subsided and business was slowly returning to a state of normalcy. Masuku said government was grateful that the team had moved swiftly at Eswatini’s invitation to come and assess the challenges that were currently confronting the country. “It is our goal for the country as shared by the principles of SADC that we and the region always maintain peace and stability for sustainable economic growth and prosperity,” said Masuku.

Situation

He said as government, they were continuously trying to calm the situation with the hope of finding a lasting solution that would preserve the country’s peace and stability. Masuku said government had set up a team led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Thuli Dladla to work with Troika and ensure that these engagements were sustained. He further stated that he hoped they would come back to consult with other stakeholders on the next context of their fact-finding mission.
Masuku told the delegation that government had made arrangements for them to meet at a bigger facility somewhere in Ezulwini where they would also be having their lunch. In response, Kwape said they were happy to be in Eswatini to execute an instruction of the Troika. He said since their mission was a consultative one, they believed that they would be operating in camera.

Kwape lamented that time was not on their side and said they were prepared to work through lunch. He said they hoped to meet with all the relevant stakeholders, though highlighting that the COVID-19 pandemic and regulations did not allow them to have long meetings. Others who were present were South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr. Naledi Pandor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Fredrick Shava, outgoing chair, and the SADC Executive Secretary, Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax.

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