Following receipt of the reports on the recent political and security disturbances in the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Chair of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security, His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, urgently dispatched a Fact-Finding Mission to the Kingdom Eswatini, constituted by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republics of Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The Mission was led by Hon. Dr. Lemogang Kwape, Minister of International Affairs of the Republic of Botswana, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ.
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.
In that regard, the Mission held consultations with the Government of Eswatini. The Mission also 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 second Mission will be dispatched urgently to Eswatini to continue the consultation process with the other stakeholders in the country. Therefore, 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 key stakeholders.
All the 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. The proposal for an open national dialogue was highly welcomed as a way forward towards finding a long lasting solution.
Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi
Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security
GABORONE, BOTSWANA
05 JULY 2021
Source: sadc.int
