BERLIN, GERMANY – Eswatini’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Pholile Shakantu, led the Kingdom’s delegation to the 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting held in Berlin from 13–14 May. The summit drew over 130 countries and was attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Minister Shakantu was joined by HRH Prince Sicalo, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Under Secretary Vulindlela Kunene, and Xolile Ngwenya, Counsellor at Eswatini’s Embassy to the European Union.
The Berlin gathering marked the 80th anniversary of the UN and the 10th anniversary of the Leaders’ Summit on Peacekeeping. It focused on improving the safety and efficiency of UN peacekeeping missions in response to modern security challenges.
Representing Eswatini as a current member of the African Union Peace and Security Council, Shakantu called for greater support for African-led peacekeeping operations and stressed the importance of gender-inclusive peacebuilding. She reiterated the Kingdom’s backing of UN Security Council Resolution 2719, which advocates for sustainable funding of AU-led missions, and commended the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) contributions to regional peace.
She said Eswatini stands for peace mandates that empower communities, especially women and youth, drawing on national frameworks aligned with UNSCR 1325. The minister called for peacekeeping approaches rooted in local ownership and accountability, including stronger protection for civilians and zero tolerance for abuse.
“Member States make peacekeeping possible.
— UN Peacekeeping (@UNPeacekeeping) May 13, 2025
They must lead the way as we strengthen it for the future.”
At the #PKMinisterial in Berlin, @antonioguterres underscored the vital role of @UN peacekeeping & urged Member States to help shape peace operations fit for the future. pic.twitter.com/nIqFBn78rJ
Strengthening international ties
On the sidelines of the summit, Minister Shakantu held talks with German Minister of State Gunther Krichbaum to discuss potential German investments in Eswatini’s renewable energy sector. The pair also explored collaboration on youth empowerment and training programmes. Minister Krichbaum pledged support for Eswatini’s peacekeeping initiatives, particularly through capacity-building and technology transfer.
She later met with Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul, who expressed Germany’s continued interest in deepening bilateral ties with Eswatini.
Shakantu also engaged in high-level discussions with Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo. Both ministers agreed to ramp up bilateral engagement, including high-level visits.
In a separate meeting with Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sara Nyanti, the two diplomats discussed shared priorities such as cultural diplomacy and the revival of indigenous African governance systems to support grassroots peacebuilding efforts.
Security and regional peace
HRH Prince Sicalo continued diplomatic efforts with a bilateral meeting alongside Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, advancing the defence and security cooperation agreement signed between both countries in 2024.
The Prince also held talks with Brigadier General Mnimizi Sizani of South Africa, focusing on the need for enhanced regional collaboration to build stronger peacekeeping capabilities across Southern Africa. Both sides agreed to pursue further discussions through established diplomatic channels.
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