The Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC), one of the banned political parties in Swaziland, hopes that the appointment of Barnabas Dlamini as Prime Minister will not steer the country back to the dark days of lawlessness.
In a statement issued yesterday (18 October 2008), the NNLC stated, ‘We hope the appointment is not a precursor for the return to the unenviable situation in our recent past, when the rule of law was relegated to the substitute’s bench’.
Barnabas Dlamini was illegally appointed PM last Thursday by sub-Saharan Africa’s last autonomous monarch, King Mswati III.
NNLC said its members were under no illusion as to where the powers of the PM begin and end. Dlamini was previously PM in Swaziland from 1997 to 2003 and became renowned for his disregard for the rule of law and the reign of terror he unleashed against the Swazi people.
NNLC asked that this time round dialogue should be the only way to get Swazis ‘out of this appalling state of serfdom which we continue to endure’.
NNLC said, ‘We urge him to be a voice of reason and restraint in the presence persons he actually serves, especially during these trying times where the ugly spectre of violence hangs over us threatening the livelihoods of the Emaswati whatever the origin.’
NNLC called on the PM to:
* Sincerely and truthfully work towards leading the country to a multi-party dispensation.
* Leave his past behind and accept new challenges with fresh and truly constructive approach.
* Be conscientiousness and put the people first as opposed to class interests.
* Instil true democratic values within all interest groups with a spirit of unity and ubuntu.
* Seek out the full, unbiased edification of all emaSwati, as to what these democratic values truly entail.
* Uphold the rule of law and ensure that political and economic development is for all emaSwati irrespective of gender, race, creed or social background.
* Have an independent and impartial mind when dealing with issues and to speak his mind truthfully and fearlessly wherever his opinion is sought or obligatory.
*Live up to international, continental, regional laws and conventions, which the nation has subscribed or assented to. The quality of his tenure will be benchmarked against these.
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I dont think you are being fair to us as a Swazi Nation when you say that the Prime Minister was illegally apointed by the King, infact thats a violation of my right as a Swazi, which I dont think its what you are calling for in Swaziland. to me it looks like as long as its not multiparty driven it will be illegal to you, and yet you have not asked us the majority of Swazis as to what it is that we want
ReplyDeletein as much as we not happy with the way the government is doing things, I dont think multiparty is the solution. just because it is done in other countries doesnt mean it will work in our Land. infact I have a problem with the people who are calling for it because when you look at their background, they are worse dictators, and we dont want to go there
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