EU, TAIWAN URGED TO AVERT CIVIL WAR

MBABANE – The Embassies of the Republic of China (Taiwan) as well as that of the European Union (EU), have been engaged to save Eswatini from an imminent civil war.

Members of the mass democratic movement, who called themselves the Concerned Citizens of Eswatini delivered petitions to the two embassies and asked foreign envoys of either countries not to supply the Eswatini Government with ammunition. In the petition, the Taiwanese Embassy was criticised for allegedly supplying the government with helicopters that were then allegedly used to hunt down emaSwati, who are calling for political change.

“What is appalling is that military aid continues to be sent by President Tsai (of Taiwan) to an authoritarian regime here in our motherland. Taiwan´s taxes paid for helicopters that were used to kill and maim fellow emaSwati. Those helicopters continue to hover above our communities and our people live in perpetual fear and trauma,” alleged the petitioners. The petition was received by Minister Ching-Lin Tsuei of the embassy, who was in the company of other embassy staff members. The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) was also visible inside and outside the embassy premises.
The petition was read by Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) (SG) Secretary General Mciniseli Vilakati.

Embassy

PUDEMO Stalwart Mphandlana Shongwe, also spoke at the petition delivery event, saying he was not happy that the embassy had not taken a strong position about the killing of people last year. “Even as people continue to die, we have not heard your voice. One of the duties of the embassy is to stand up for the defenceless people. We are those people,” he said. SWALIMO Spokesperson Thantaza Silolo said he was aware that Taiwan had played a major role in fighting against poverty, but said its silent position on the political situation was not welcome. Tsuei said “Thanks for your petition. Your voice has been heard. I will present this petition to Taiwan and the Eswatini government.” On a similar note, the petitioners told the EU Embassy: “State resources, and to a larger extent Europe Taxpayer´s money, is used to buy arms and pay personnel that killed and maimed our people. Some of these resources continue, to be used on the arson of political parties’ leaders and members’ property. As we march, our people live in fear and uncertainties about an imminent civil war.”

Killed

They alleged that Europe Taxpayer´s money was being used to buy arms and pay personnel ‘that killed and maimed our people’. Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo said it was a lie that the helicopters were used against citizens of the country. “We have a long standing diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) which dates as far back as the Era of His Majesty King Sobhuza II. His Majesty King Mswati III, has taken the diplomatic relations between these two States to another level of mutual respect and benefits. “It is naive and dangerous to think that helicopters are used against citizens of this country. Show me one example wherein, the helicopters were used against citizens and I will show you 10 examples of where the helicopters were used for the safety and protection of the country’s population,” he said.

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