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
Email: swazidiaspora@gmail.com
Twitter: @swazidiaspora
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