By NOKZUOLA THWALA | 2022-11-18
Mbabane - President of Namibia Hage Geingob who is chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation will arrive today to hold political consultations with His Majesty King Mswati III.
This will be a one-day working visit to discuss the implementation of SADC decisions on Eswatini.
According to a statement, the SADC Organ Summit held on August 16, 2022 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where President Geingob assumed the role of Chairperson of the Organ reinforced the need for the SADC Organ to work for a peaceful and stable SADC Region.
The decision to strengthen continued dialogue with the Kingdom of Eswatini was reinforced by the Organ Troika meeting convened by President Geingob in Maseru, Lesotho on October 28, on the margins of the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane.
“Among others, the objective of the Maseru Organ Troika Meeting was to review progress in the implementation of SADC decisions in the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Republic of Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” reads the statement.
The outgoing chairperson of the SADC Organ, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and the incoming Chairperson of the Organ, President Hakainde Hichilema, participated in the meeting.
The statement further reads that since becoming Chairperson,, President Geingob had been steering the affairs of the Organ through hosting different meetings for different countries.
The mandate of the chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika is outlined in Article 4 of the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, which places on the chairperson the responsibility for the overall policy direction and achievement of the objectives of the Organ in promoting peace and security in the SADC region, in consultation with the SADC Organ Troika.
His Majesty the King during a briefing session after attending the 42nd SADC Ordinary Summit for Heads of State and Government held in the Democratic Republic of Congo stated that SADC Troika + Eswatini would analyse the situation on the ground in the country, find solutions to help restore peace, stability and security as the country was known for being peaceful.
The king said this was decided after they reported what had been happening in the country since last year and how after the recommendation of SADC Troika Chairman President Cyril Ramaphosa (at the time) to hold Sibaya dialogue, the civil unrest and more continued.
He said they reported that structures continued to be burnt in arson attacks, property vandalised and there was a continued spate of killings even after the SADC delegation and Troika chairman visited the country.
His Majesty said they reported that calling Sibaya for dialogue would have been in vain and futile as there was continued intimidation.
SADC was said to have strongly condemned these acts and was surprised that the violent attacks continue to be effected by tidlamlilo and declared that they would support everything that was constitutionally done.
The king said it was then that SADC decided that a SADC Troika + Eswatini meeting should be held.
The king further emphasised that one of SADC’s mandates was to look into economies, welfare, peace and stability in the member states.
He said they would ensure that no country was left to deal with its issues in isolation in the region and not be assisted, especially when the situations affected the welfare of the people.
His Majesty said Eswatini would continue to do things accordingly and not be intimidated, which also violated the human rights charter.
His Majesty added that the country subscribed to the United Nations Charter, which had a chapter on the Bill of Rights. He said the summit was indeed fruitful as every country was able to lay bare what was currently happening in their countries. Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Thuli Dladla, said she received confirmation of the arrival of the SADC delegation.
She confirmed that there would be private consultations between the Heads of State.
However, she noted that she wasn’t privy to the agenda.
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