eSwatini deadly violence has been condemned by the African Union Commission, with the chairperson Moussa Fake Mahamat urging constructive dialogue to end the political crisis.
The African Union Commission has condemned the deadly violence in eSwatini following pro-democracy protests in that country.
eSwatini, previously called Swaziland, is Africa’s last absolute monarchy.
Demonstrations, which had been relatively low-key for weeks, escalated on Monday in the tiny and usually stable landlocked kingdom.
Protesters took to the streets in the kingdom’s two largest cities, Mbabane and Manzini, to demand political reform.
Police refused to confirm reports of the deaths and injuries, saying they do not divulge such information to international media, according to AFP.
In a statement, the chairperson of the commission, Moussa Fake Mahamat, said he was closely following the situation and was “deeply concerned at the ongoing political and security situation”.
[Read] Statement of the Chairperson of the @_AfricanUnion Commission @AUC_MoussaFaki on the situation in the Kingdom of #eSwatini @ https://t.co/t1so6GFS5u pic.twitter.com/BufXWEvGSU
— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) July 1, 2021
“The Chairperson condemns in the strongest terms the incidents of violence that have led to the loss of life, looting, and destruction of public and private property.
“The Chairperson calls for immediate steps to protect lives of citizens and their property, and urges the eSwatini leadership and all stakeholders to refrain from further acts of violence that could exacerbate the situation,” the statement said.
Mahamat called on parties involved to display leadership and engage in constructive dialogue.
He also pledged AU’s support to the government and the people of eSwatini.
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“The Chairperson reiterates the African Union’s continued commitment to support the people and government of eSwatini in their quest for a peaceful resolution of the challenges facing the country, within the framework of the AU’s longstanding principles of continental solidarity,” the statement said.
Political parties have been banned in the southern African country since 1973.
The king names government ministers and controls the parliament, while a constitution introduced in 2005 forbids parties from running in national elections.
But frustration has been simmering this month, spilling out into sporadic demonstrations that prompted the government to forbid all protests last week – a move that only served to stoke anger.
Picture: Getty Images
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
