EU, TAIWAN, US, UK support dialogue in Eswatini

MANZINI, Eswatini

The European Union, Republic of China [Taiwan] United Kingdom, and US Missions in Eswatini say respect for fundamental freedoms and the rule of law should be the guiding lights for all stakeholders that work to peacefully and productively resolve the situation currently faced by Eswatini.

This was communicated through a press statement by the European Union (EU) Ambassador Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones, on behalf of the four Missions in the country.

She said the EU, Taiwan, UK, and US Missions in Eswatini welcome the involvement of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ for Politics, Defence and Security [Troika] and further support its objective to facilitate broad-based dialogue involving all stakeholders. Hernandez said it is critical now to create the space for peaceful, productive and inclusive talks, and that the missions are ready to assist where needed.

“We encourage all parties to engage fully in dialogue. Respect for fundamental freedoms and the rule of law should be the guiding light for all stakeholders as they work to resolve the situation peacefully and productively,’’ reads the statement.

Further, the four missions noted that the use of violence and the destruction of property are unacceptable and must be investigated vigorously and transparently so that perpetrators could be prosecuted according to the law.

At least 21 people have been allegedly killed by eSwatini's security forces during pro-democracy protests, the Swaziland Youth Congress (Swayoco) said on Wednesday.

In the other development, the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi said in a statement released yesterday that the mission made attempts to meet with a broad spectrum of other stakeholders across the Eswatini nation but due to the short notice, it was not possible to reach many of the stakeholders.

“The mission held consultations with the Government of Eswatini, including the state security in the country, and appeals for calm and restraint from all the stakeholders,” he said.

President Masisi also mentioned that the team came to propose the consideration of an open national dialogue, as a way forward in the efforts towards finding a lasting solution.

He said as a result of their short stay in the country, it was agreed that a second mission will be dispatched urgently to continue the consultation process with the other stakeholders.

Meeting “A short meeting was held with a few civil society organisations to assure them of a second mission to the country to hold further consultations with all other key stakeholders,” he said.

He added that all the consultations were held in an atmosphere of calm, mutual respect and understanding.

The SADC Troika chairman said there was a clear sense of urgency to address the situation in the country.

The proposal for an open national dialogue was highly welcomed as a way forward towards finding a long lasting solution. Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku said government was happy to receive the SADC Troika organ that was here on a fact finding mission at its invitation.

He assured that the SADC fact finding mission will continue in due course as they (SADC and government) share the common regional objective of ensuring sustainable peace and stability in the region.

The APM further requested the nation to practise patience and stay calm while Troika and all relevant stakeholders engage in the process.

“I plead with the Nation to stay calm and patient while the process is ongoing. We all share the responsibility to never engage in any activity that negates the strides we have made to improve the lives of people, no matter how different our standpoint may be at any particular time,” he said.

Masuku also mentioned that the unacceptable damage to government and private property perpetrated by looters is now well into billions of Emalangeni, causing a major setback to the country’s socio-economic growth and stability.

He said the current estimate reveals that the cost of damage stands at about E3 billion, with 5 000 jobs lost and counting.