AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
PRO-democracy forces in eSwatini, where scores have been killed and injured by the police, have criticised a delegation from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for meeting with the government only and ignoring them.
One of the unhappy organisations is the Economic Freedom Front in Swaziland. The party’s spokesperson Sphelele Nkomondze said they were angry that the SADC delegation met with the government and then post-postponed, to a later date, a meeting with the civil society.
“This is clear that the SADC cannot hold member states accountable for gross violation of human rights in front of them, thus the SADC cannot be trusted,” Nkomondze said.
The SADC delegation, led by Dr Lemohang Kwape, Botswana’s Minister of International Affairs.
Kwape said the SADC stood ready to support the people of eSwatini in the quest to bring peace and calm that would lead to the socio-economic development of the country.
He promised that the SADC delegation would meet with the government and the meet with the eSwatini civil society.
The delegation met with Themba Masuku, the acting Prime Minister of eSwatini. Masuku said: It’s our goal for the country, as shared by the founding principle of the SADC, that we and the region (must) always maintain peace and stability for sustainable economic growth and prosperity. Government has set up a team, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to work with the (SADC) Troika and ensure that these engagements are sustained.”