Mbabane: The People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) has expressed serious concern over His Majesty King Mswati III’s remarks when dispersing emabutfo on Saturday, January 8, 2022.
A statement issued by the proscribed entity’s Secretary-General Wandile Dludlu state that they have noted the remarks by King Mswati III when dispersing emabutfo which they labeled as ‘shocking’.
“As a liberation movement that has been at the forefront of the struggle for democratic changes in Swaziland for almost four decades, we are not surprised or deterred by such utterances.”
Dludlu continues, “PUDEMO has always been clear that at the heart of the Swaziland crisis has been the autocratic tinkhundla system. The people have finally resolved that this system is unworkable and thus must be completely overthrown and be replaced with a democratic system that shall treat all Swazis as citizens that are all equal before the law. There has never been a correct time as such to continue waging our struggle against this leadership.”
Furthermore, the statement highlights that as a movement they characterized the period of 2013-2023 as a decade of liberation, a strategic period in the history of their struggle for democracy.
“This is exactly what is currently unfolding in the country. We believe that the decade of liberation is upon us. This is the real Swazi moment. In this regard, we salute the people of Swaziland for their unwavering determination and proceed to create a people democracy whose primary objective will be to ensure that it creates an environment where the lives of all the people will be improved. To this end, we reaffirm our people’s Manifesto and the set of demands and roadmap towards a democratic Swaziland which articulated a way forward towards a constituent Assembly through a negotiated settlement as follows:
1. Cessation of all political hostilities;
2. The Repeal of all draconian laws including the 1973 Decree and the suppression of terrorism Act; 3. The Unbanning of political parties and free political activity;
4. The release of all political prisoners;
5. Unconditional return of all political Exiles;
6. Creating independent Media and Judiciary to create an environment conducive for free expression and freedom of association and assembly;
7. An all-inclusive dialogue through a National Convention, which must be held and be presided by a neutral body in a neutral venue.
“These are our historical and consistent principles and conditions for any dialogue to take place in Swaziland. No amount of intimidation and threats will deter the people’s will and commitment towards a democratic Swaziland.”
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