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SADC TROIKA, ESWATINI MEET IS NEXT STEP, SAYS KING

31/08/2022 08:48:00 Sibusiso Shange

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LUDZIDZINI – His Majesty King Mswati III has cleared the air in relation to the next step regarding the prevailing situation in the country.

Addressing the media after his return from the SADC meeting held in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the King said SADC Troika would come to Eswatini to address issues affecting peace and security. This means that the next move will be the SADC Troika and Eswatini meeting as opposed to Sibaya national dialogue. Constitutionally, Sibaya is the Eswatini National Council, constituted by bantfwabenkhosi (princes), tikhulu (chiefs), and all adult citizens gathered at the official residence of the Indlovukazi (Queen Mother), under the chairmanship of Ingwenyama, who may delegate his function to any official. This is according to Section 232 (2) of the Constitution.

Security

The SADC Organ on Politics Defence and Security is managed on a Troika basis and is responsible for promoting peace and security in the SADC region. It is mandated to steer and provide member states with direction regarding matters that threaten peace, security and stability in the region. The King said the resolution was taken by the SADC member states, following the continued violence in the country. This, the King said, came after the tabling of a report detailing events since the unrest, which culminated into looting, vandalism and burning of property, as well as loss of human lives on June 29, 2021 and June 30, 2021. The King announced that the country’s businesses suffered a loss amounting to E3 billion as a result of the looting, vandalism and burning of structures. Also, a report from the Human Rights Commission pointed out that 46 people were killed during the course of the unrest while 245 were injured, though some pro-democracy activists have disputed these figures.

He said SADC was surprised by the continued violence in Eswatini. The King stated that the report reflected the looting of shops, vandalism and burning of properties as well as the loss of human lives during the course of the unrest. He said the report pointed out that SADC sent a Technical Fact-finding Mission to assess the situation after the damages, which resulted from the unrest. The King said apart from the Technical Fact-Finding Mission, the Chairman of SADC Troika, Cyril Ramaphosa, personally came to Eswatini and further recommended constitutional means to restore order and peace. The King stated that the chairman of the SADC Troika warned emaSwati against the use of fire and guns while means to find an amicable solution were being made.

The King shared that the report pointed out that the chairman of SADC Troika, made it clear that people should not be intimidated and forced to submit to some ideologies while means to restore peace were being made. He also stated that as a country that was governed by a Constitution, Sibaya was recommended. However, he said while the country prepared for Sibaya, there were people who exhibited signs of terrorism and continued to disturb peace and security through the use of guns and fire. It should be noted that there has been a continued shooting of members of the security forces and burning of private and government structures by unknown people since the country committed to a national dialogue. There have been claims that the shootings and arson attacks were aimed at fostering change in the country.

The King stated that the report clearly stated that as a result of the continued violence, government and the private sector, as well as individuals, continued to lose properties. The Head of State shared that the report presented to SADC made it clear that emaSwati were intimidated. The Monarch said SADC considered that United Nations Charters as well as the country’s Constitution were against intimidation and coercion of people. He said the question was ‘how can Sibaya be called under the circumstances?” As a result, the King said; SADC members States resolved that SADC Troika should come to Eswatini for a meeting termed SADC Troika plus Eswatini to address the issues affecting peace and security.

Mandate

The King reminded the nation that SADC had a clear mandate since its formation in 1980. He said the main objectives of the organisation were to achieve economic development, peace and security, and growth, alleviate poverty, enhance the standard and quality of the life of the people of Southern Africa, and support the socially disadvantaged through regional integration. The King stated that the member states made it clear during the meeting that they would not fold their arms when a member state’s peace and security was threatened, hence the resolution. The King also touched on businesse opportunities and proposals which were as a result of his visit to Indonesia and Japan. He said the two countries were committed to helping Eswatini. The King made an example about the tourism, agriculture as well as electricity, stating that Eswatini could benefit a lot from Indonesia in terms of cooperation and investment.