By Mbono Mdluli | 2019-11-13

UNITED States of America (USA) Ambassador to Eswatini Lisa Peterson was yesterday criticised by Members of Parliament and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Thuli Dladla.

This took place in the House of Assembly during the second quarter performance debate of the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation.

This follows Ambassador Peterson’s comments published over the past weekend on the fleet of BMWs bought by government.

Peterson was reported as having blasted government’s decision to buy the fleet of BMWs, saying it would be difficult for them to give financial assistance with such spending.

The politicians who were debating voiced their concern on the ambassador’s behaviour.

First to raise the matter was MP Prince Kusa. He said it was unfortunate that some ambassadors would express their grievances in other forums. He urged Minister Dladla to ensure that they called envoys to order so that they use the right channels to express their concerns.

Prince Kusa said the ambassadors were expected to behave an acceptable way, while they were still in Eswatini.

He reminded the ambassadors that they knew where they submitted their letters of credence when they assumed their roles. He said it would be better to convene private meetings with the envoys.

He called upon envoys to respect Emaswati, as much as Emaswati respected them. He called upon the minister to submit a report in Parliament in the next performance debate of the ministry.

Prince Kusa said he would love to have feedback on a meeting the foreign affairs minister would convene with all the envoys that represent their countries in the kingdom. Madlangempisi MP Sibusiso ‘Scorpion’ Nxumalo, who was chairing the proceedings, also shared Prince Kusa’s sentiments. He said it was unfortunate that Peterson used the media to talk about the matter involving the purchase of the BMWs.

Nxumalo also wanted to know the role of the country’s envoys in other countries when such situations prevailed.

He said the envoys in other countries should come out and respond to the statements issued by people on social media and other forums. He said these days people were talking about the fleet of cars that were being bought. The envoys should respond and present a clear picture about the true situation in the country.

In response, Minister Thuli Dladla said Ambassador Peterson’s actions were very unfortunate. She said her ministry would convene a meeting with all the envoys who resided in this country, with an aim of forging a way forward on how they would work together.

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