SADC delegation concludes eSwatini mission seemingly without meeting the king

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

SADC delegation concludes eSwatini mission seemingly without meeting the king

8:20 CAT | 06 Jul 2021

Members of the SADC delegation leaving the Kingdom of eSwatini on 4 July 2021 amid tensions between pro-democracy activists and government. Picture by eSwatini Government/Twitter

The SADC delegation was welcomed by acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku earlier in the day and normally set up delegations meet, or at least pay a courtesy call on the king. But the government hasn’t said whether either of these two happened.

Ministers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security concluded their fact-finding mission in eSwatini on Sunday night, seemingly without meeting King Mswati III.

Statement by the Chairperson of #SADC Organ on Politics, Defence & Security Cooperation, H.E. @OfficialMasisi, President of the Republic of Botswana on the situation in the Kingdom of Eswatini. https://t.co/HKhTSnyxy4 @DrTaxs @SWZ_OnlineNews @DIRCO_ZA @ZimDaily @sardcnet pic.twitter.com/ODCBKJuywi

— SADC Secretariat (@SADC_News) July 2, 2021

The government shared images including of South African International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor and Botswana Minister Lemohang Kwape whose President Mokgweetsi Masisi currently chairs the organ.

It also said the mission had preliminary engagements with government, and civil society representatives including church groups, the law society, trade unions, and the human rights commission.

The SADC delegation was welcomed by acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku earlier in the day and normally set up delegations meet, or at least pay a courtesy call on the king.

But the government hasn’t said whether either of these two happened. This adds to speculation and unconfirmed reports that the Monarch has fled the country.

Head of the delegation Kwape said SADC stood ready to support the people of eSwatini in their quest to bring peace and calm.

He said peace that would lead to the socio-economic development of the country was something that the region cherished.

Meanwhile, civil society organisations are demanding to know who represented them as many said they were not in the meetings with SADC.

[PHOTOS]: The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence & Security (Troika) concludes preliminary engagements with Government & civil society representatives including church groups, the Law Society, Trade Unions, Human Rights Commission & others. pic.twitter.com/0aqAQCxsQN

— Eswatini Government (@EswatiniGovern1) July 4, 2021