South African trade unions have called on the European Union (EU) to impose sanctions on Swaziland in an attempt to force the kingdom to embrace democracy.
Travel bans and the freezing of King Mswati III’s assets and those of key members of his government are high on the agenda of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
The Swazi King is said to have a net wealth of 200 million US dollars (about E2 billion).
The union group has written to José Costa Pereira, Council of the European Union Head of Africa Task Force, calling on the EU to push the Swazi Government to implement reforms.
The letter states, ‘If the Swaziland government continues to be unwilling to implement democratic reforms, civil society organisations in Swaziland and Southern Africa have requested us to urge the EU to implement targeted measures, including travel bans and the freezing of assets of key members of the government of Swaziland, including the royal family until democratic measures are in place.’
The European Union’s Council Africa Working Group (COAFR) meeting for heads of state will be held in Brussels beginning this Wednesday, (8 April) where Swaziland is expected to be discussed.
COSATU is recommending that the EU calls for the repeal of the Suppression of Terrorism Act, which it says is used by the Swazi Government to suppress political dissent.
COSATU also wants the EU to press for the release from jail of Mario Masuku, President of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO).
COSATU also calls for the end to arrests of political activists to ensure a free political activity and the return of all political exiles and for the review of the constitution with the goal of a system of a multiparty democracy with political parties being able to stand for elections.
No comments:
Post a Comment