SUPPORT FOR SWAZI US AMBASSADOR

I wrote earlier today (21 January 2009) that Maurice Parker, the US Ambassador to Swaziland declared that his embassy would work with groups who are campaigning to bring democracy to the kingdom.

He said many Swazi pressure groups have had trouble organising meetings, ensuring freedom of speech, or pursuing the right to assembly freely.

His statement has prompted a response from the South Africa chapter of the Swaziland Solidarity Network, which has issued a press release with six key demands it has for change in Swaziland.

Here is the press release in full.

SSN PRESS RELEASE

21 January, 2009

SSN WELCOMES THE CALL BY THE USA TO SWAZILAND MAURICE PARKER FOR SWAZILAND TO DEMOCRATISE

The Swaziland Solidarity Network [SSN] welcomes the call by the US Ambassador to Swaziland Maurice parker for Swaziland to democritise, when he said "the inauguration of President Barack Obama is a strict call for Swaziland to fully democratise. He said his embassy would work with pressure groups to ensure that the fledging democracy is fulfilled in the country. Parker said many of the pressure groups have had trouble organising meetings, ensuring freedom of speech, or pursuing the right to assembly freely" Swazi Observer 21-01-2009. The SSN is equally humbled by the urgency the Swaziland question is now receiving particularly by the African National Congress [ANC] in its 2009 election manifesto when it says: "Spare no energy in our efforts to find urgent, democratic and lasting solutions to the situation in Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Western Sahara, Somalia and other countries".

This come when the SSN has embark on a diplomatic offensive against the Tinkhundla Swaziland Regime. This diplomatic offensive program began by a 12 pages briefing document to the chairperson of SADC HE President Kgalema Motlanthe. As we write this statement we have visited 8 embassys in South Africa of which all are from the SADC region to expose the current situation in Swaziland that include the arrest of PUDEMO president comrade Mario Masuku.

The SSN calls for King Mswati to take this advice seriously by implementing the following people's demands:

1. Unbanning of all political parties now!
2. Freedom of speech and association!
3. The lifting of the 1973 Kings decree!
4. The immediate release of PUDEMO President comrade Mario Masuku!
5. An end to political persecution!
6. The unconditional return of all exiles!

Issued by the Swaziland Solidarity Network South African chapter- [SSN]

For more information contact:

Phindile Kunene- SSN-Head of Communications

079 964 9262