Zivanai Dhewa

The SADC Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security , President of Botswana, Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi despatched a fact finding team to the Kingdom of Eswatini to find ways of solving the conflicts bedevilling that country and dialogue was agreed upon as a lasting solution.

In his press statement, Dr Masisi emphasised the urgency that was required to bring peace to the Kingdom of Eswatini, “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 toward finding a lasting solution.

 He further revealed that the SADC Organ on Politics Defence and Security represented by its Ministers of Foreign Affairs visited that country on a fact-finding mission and to meet with all stakeholders involved in order to initiate dialogue amongst them.

“The purpose of the Mission was to gather first-hand information on the disturbances, including the state of security in the country, and to appeal for calm and restraint from all the stakeholders, as well as to propose consideration of an open national dialogue, as a way forward in the efforts towards finding a lasting solution.

Giving further details about the meeting, SADC Chair, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi explained that the Mission was able to hold consultations with some stakeholders but due to limited time it had to schedule to meet with other stakeholders on its second visit.

“The Mission held consultations with the Government of Eswatini.  The Mission aslo made attempts to meet with a broad spectrum of other stakeholders across the Eswatini nation. 

“Due to the short notice, it was not possible to reach many of the stakeholders.  As a result, it was agreed that a scond Mission will be dispatched urgently to Eswatini to continue the consultation process with the other stakeholders in the country,” said Dr Masisi

Further adding that, “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 stakeholders.

Meanwhile all consultations were held in an atmosphere of calm, mutual respect and understanding.  There was a clear sense of urgency to address the situation in the country.