AFRICA BACKS SWAZILAND DEMOCRATS

African organisations are lining up to support the pro-democracy freedom movements in Swaziland and in particular protest the arrests of dissidents, including Mario Masuku, President of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), and human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko.

What follows is a joint statement on the situation endorsed by 15 organisations based in South Africa

CALL FOR DIRECT, OPEN, CREDIBLE TALKS BETWEEN THE MONARCH AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE IN SWAZILAND

We the undersigned South African civil society organisations, affirm that Swaziland is at a major strategic turning point in the course of its political history.

In our vehement protest at the detention of the Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) President Mario Masuku, his lawyer Thulani Maseko and all political prisoners, we recognise the unique political moment and appeal for reflection leading to an urgent and different approach. We recognise that the actual crisis is much more structurally endemic than its appearance. The Swazi royal Thinkundla state is a people disoriented system and clearly confronting major limitations.

Of all major historical moments, it is our view that 2008 marked the beginning of a decisive transformational cycle.

From social policy to the political arena, the regime is confronted with a deep crisis. All of its political capital will be lost. The coercive attempts to subdue the people’s resistance by terminating their rights of access to education, healthcare, housing and social protection, the denial of employment opportunities is major disaster. The arrest of PUDEMO President Mario Masuku and other leaders, the appointment of the Prime Minister Dlamini, assassinations of political leaders, the passing of the Suppression of Terrorism Act, the looting of the national fiscus by the Royal family and the arrest of Thulani Maseko are all elements of this major transformation.

In all poles of Swazi society, Thinkundla is in a spiral of social, political and economic backlashes, with very negative consequences for the people.

The situation calls for decisive action, to overcome a state of no guarantees, to mitigate the people’s most profound needs for basics, for food and medicines, for jobs and coherent livelihoods. In the absence of any political detours, there is a single course out of the crisis.

That path is for the start of genuine dialogue and negotiations inside of Swaziland.

The main objective of this joint representation is therefore, to call for direct, open, credible talks between the Monarch on the one hand and the representatives of the people on the other.

We appeal to the South African government, progressive forces and all our people to for their support and for the region and international community to back this decisive call and for all to prepare for this paradigm shift. Relevant institutions of SADC and the AU, must step in, exercise leadership, and provide political and technical assistance. A credible national dialogue agenda is desired and the opening up of all channels of communication.

This is the only framework to safeguard peace, social and economic progress and remains the only viable option outside of anarchy and confrontation.

Endorsed by

African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL)
Congress of South African Students (COSAS)
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU
Free Burma Campaign (FBC-SA)
Friends of Congolese Associations in South Africa (FOCAS)
Jubilee SA
Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa (OSISA)
Refugee SA
South African Commercial and Catering Workers Union (SACCAWU)
South African Communist Party (SACP)
South African Council of Churches (SACC)
Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN)
Young Communist League (YCL)
Zimbabwe Revolutionary Youth Movement
Zimbabwe Solidarity Forum (ZSF)

12 June 2009