Friday 29 June 2012

ANC PRIORITISES REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH DEMOCRACY, SUPPORTS DEMOCRATISATION OF SWAZILAND!


ANC PRIORITISES REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH DEMOCRACY, SUPPORTS DEMOCRATISATION OF SWAZILAND!

PRESS RELEASE: 29 JUNE 2012


The Swaziland Diaspora Platform welcomes the deliberations and resolutions taken by the ANC Committee on International Relations at its Policy Conference taking place at Gallagher Estate. The resolutions, especially those on Swaziland clearly reflect the determination of the South African government to see the people of the SADC region living better lives through democratic governments that meet the aspirations of the people. “We support the democratisation of Swaziland,” Lindiwe Zulu, a member of the international relations committee told reporters at the ANC's national policy conference in Midrand, Johannesburg.

Zulu further stated that the ANC resolved to push forward for the unbanning of political parties in the authoritarian Kingdom that has been led by an undemocratic monarch since a 1973 Decree that banned political parties. She also put to rest the rumors that the South African government was loaning Swaziland the R2.4 Billion possibly without the conditions attached to it by the MOU that the Swaziland government has been resisting to sign since last year, which requires the unbanning of political parties and improving of fiscal governance.

This is hugely welcomed as the Swaziland government has been steadfast in contravening the Constitution and resisting taking crucial steps to bring fiscal reform. The government has does not account on its expenditure as King Mswati III visibly continues with an over the top lavish lifestyle yet it is clear that the Swazi government does not spend on social programmes as the Swaziland health care system continues to struggle without basic medicines and civil servants like teachers have gone without a pay increase for over two years, despite increased inflation.

International solidarity with oppressed peoples has never been more important in this globalised world and state sovereignty can no longer be used as a defence by oppressive regimes.  The development of the SADC region is dependent on democracy being the norm in all member states, and recognition of the interdependence of the peoples of this region affects the ability of individual and the collective membership of SADC to develop is the first step towards regional development.

The Swaziland Diaspora Platform reiterates its call for King Mswati III to relinquish his reigns and permit a multi-party democracy in Swaziland before the Kingdom is isolated and the people of Swaziland continue to be ravaged by poverty and poor social services.

ISSUED BY:

Swaziland Diaspora Platform

Media Queries:
Spokesperson: Ntombenhle Khathwane
Twitter: @swazidiaspora

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