Mbabane-The government of Eswatini has refuted reports from the main stream South African media that it is responsible for the postponement of the Southern African Development Community organ on Politics, Defence and Security’s summit Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit that was scheduled to be held in Pretoria on Thursday 21 July 2022.
In a statement, signed by the Eswatini Government spokesperson, Alpheous Nxumalo. The government of Eswatini says it too was equally surprised to be informed by the SADC Secretariat late on the 19 July 2022 of the postponement. Nxumalo says “in an unanticipated turn of events, a delegation from Eswatini that was attending a preceding SADC Meeting, the 24th Ordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, was verbally advised by the SADC Secretariat that a decision had been taken to cancel the Summit and official correspondence was to follow shortly thereafter.”
The statement goes to mention that there is no truth to the assertion that the summit was cancelled on the account of Eswatini’s unavailability. The government of Eswatini has taken exception to what it calls inaccurate, misleading and disingenuous reporting especially as no attempt was made to ascertain the truth by seeking its position.
Reports emanating from the South African media Timeslive are that the Summit was meant to address the security and political situation in Eswatini among other things.
During her opening remarks at the 24th ordinary meeting of the SADC organ on politics, defence and security co-operation in Pretoria on Tuesday, Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) Minister Naledi Pandor told the ministerial committee this was an opportunity for the region to review its decisions.
“The agenda before us is extensive, which is a reflection of the wide scope of work covered by the organ,” she said.
Pandor said in the quest to maintain peace and stability in the region, “the SADC is mindful of the need to continuously extend the frontiers of democratic principles in the region for the betterment of the citizenry and prevention of conflicts”.
“As we reflect on the SADC’s defence and security agenda, we recognise the importance of ensuring security in the land, air and maritime domains. We will therefore discuss the SADC integrated maritime security strategy action plan, noting the importance of maritime trade in the region.”
Pandor said she was pleased the regional engagement and mediation efforts in Eswatini were progressive and constructive.
“It is heartening to note the political and security situation in the Kingdom of Lesotho is generally calm and stable. Similarly, the SADC is seized with finding a lasting solution to the challenges facing the Kingdom of Eswatini.”
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