Troika investigation will not solve challenges if…
SINCE the upheavals that caused a trail of human and material destruction began, the buzz word in everyone’s lips is dialogue. King and government have on many occasions emphasised that Eswatini is founded on the culture of resolving issues through dialogue. Hence, in the history of the kingdom, there has never been a time where there was unrest that resulted in such a trail of human and material toll.
It is unfortunate that one can sense an undertone of anger and retribution from government and the Monarch. The former acting prime minister, while touring some buildings that were destroyed, was quoted as having said; “Hell will befall those who looted and destroyed properties.” Yet already there are many who have paid the ultimate price, some have lost their limbs, died and many are in custody.
The first Troika team met government which did not inspire confidence among civil society that SADC had institutional capacity and will to assist the country navigate this delicate path. However, the assurance from ministers that they would return to collect views from all stakeholders in order to understand the situation in the country was assuring.
True to their promise, the Troika team was in the country where it held meetings with various stakeholders that painted a picture as to why Eswatini finds itself in such an unprecedented crisis. Eswatini is known as an oasis of peace because we are viewed as a homogenous society. I have always disputed this notion of homogeneity because there is a lot that divides us.
Confrontation
The Troika team got information from diverse emaSwati on what has led, another peaceful country, to such confrontation and destruction. Those who support the status quo will ofcourse blame this to elements that are opposed to the Tinkhundla System of Government. In fact, government, during the height of these protests informed the nation that there were foreign elements that caused these disturbances. One party in South Africa had to issue a statement denying having sent ‘ mercenaries’ to cause the mayhem. From the perspective of civil society, the root cause of the country’s problem is governance. Many argue that events of April 12, 1973 are the genesis of the problem where the country abandoned pluralism. Politics, in my view, is not about government and institutions but it is
about a government that will deliver aspirations for a better life for all. When governments adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, they made it clear that ‘ no one should be left behind’.
Sadly, the majority of emaSwati are feeling left behind. With COVID- 19 having worsened the country’s economic situation, eroded livelihoods for thousands who make a living in the informal sector, heightened job loses as many companies were forced to close due to restrictions imposed after the declaration of emergency, government’s perennial cash flow problems resulting in drug shortages in health facilities, shortage of petrol which affected ambulances and transportation of patients, deplorable state of main and feeder roads countrywide, financial crisis in tertiary institutions resulting in frequent student protests, among others.
For a political system that is people centred and effective should consist of the following characteristics: Respect for the rule of law, separation of powers, transparency and accountability, participation of people through free, fair and credible elections, Parliament oversight, access to justice, protection of the rights of citizens including freedom of association, assembly and free press, equality before the law, access to job opportunities, and opportunities for all.
This crisis is not meant to destroy the country, but it is an opportunity for emaSwati to re- imagine the Eswatini we want. It is an opportunity for emaSwati in their diversity, to go ‘ kagogo’ to address the governance to be fit for purpose in the 21st century. The current political system has clearly failed the people.