US consistent response to violent crackdown in Eswatini

SINCE Eswatini government security forces opened fire on civilians last week, shooting with live ammunition at unarmed street protesters, in a violent crackdown and confrontation that calls for democracy, United States diplomats and foreign affairs officials have been in concert, in expressing their position on the developing violence, the burning of properties, alleged killings, and human rights abuses, so far.

Since the pro-democracy protests began in June, at least 40 people have lost their lives in the Kingdom of Eswatini. When a teacher, who is a member of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), was asked, “Are you in a safe area?” He replied: “Nobody is safe.” On June 30, speaking to journalists in Washington DC, Jalina Porter, the US principal deputy spokesperson in the US Department of State, said this about the Kingdom of Eswatini: “... the situation is fluid, and we urge the government to exercise restraint and also maintain the utmost respect for human rights.

“Of course, as the situation continues to unfold, the United States urges all stakeholders in this situation to not only remain calm but also remain peaceful. And it goes without saying that the United States strongly supports freedom of expression as well as freedom of peaceful assembly, and that we know an inclusive and peaceful dialogue is essential to progress moving forward.”

On June 3, spokesperson for the US embassy in Eswatini said: “Over the past month, a movement for political reform has been steadily gaining speed in Eswatini, an executive monarchy.

Civil unrest has increased throughout the country after Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuko issued an order suspending delivery of petitions calling for political reform.

We have a long and enduring relationship with the Kingdom of Eswatini, and in this moment of crisis, we encourage all parties to resolve the situation peacefully and productively through dialogue.

“The embassy sent an alert to all US citizens registered with Smart Traveller Enrolment Programme (STEP) in Eswatini advising all US citizens to be aware of civil unrest unfolding and advising them to remain at home.”

On June 4, US ambassador to Eswatini, Jeanne Marie Maloney, spoke to Washington DC-based foreign policy correspondent, Pearl Matibe, about the unfolding violence in Eswatini and US calls for peace.

Here is the full transcript of the interview:

Matibe: Madam ambassador, do you know anything about King Mswati III’s whereabouts?

Maloney: Thank you, Pearl for that question. I am not independently able to verify that but virtually all my government contacts have confirmed that the king is here, in the country.

Matibe: Thank you. Last week on June 30, the US principal deputy spokesperson to secretary Blinken, Jalina Porter, said the United States was urging “the [Eswatini] government to exercise restraint and also maintain the utmost respect for human rights.” What is the US’s assessment and intelligence on the developments including reports that the government is losing control and this deployment of soldiers into Eswatini’s civilian population? Can you comment?

Maloney: So, Pearl, the information available to us and our observation indicate that the military—the security forces—are deployed and their presence is robust.

Matibe: You issued a joint statement, along with the EU and UK in Eswatini. You’ve made the call. As a nation-state, Eswatini is entitled to enjoy its sovereignty. What do you say to the teacher in Eswatini, who last received a salary in December 2020, who feels the international community is too quiet? What, if anything, can you do?

Maloney: Thank you, Pearl. We continue to urge all stakeholders in this situation to come to the table and engage in dialogue that includes the government and the various stakeholders throughout civil society and the political spectrum.

Matibe: I have a message from a citizen. It reads: “Our internet is switched off by the government here.” So, the internet is shut down. Give us your assessment on this situation?

Maloney: It is very unfortunate that the internet is shutdown. It hinders the government’s capability to communicate with its citizens and we have strongly, strongly, strongly urged the government to do what it can to reinstate internet communications in Eswatini.

Matibe: Thank you very much, ambassador. The United States 2020 country report on human rights practices, in its section 1., states that “respect for the integrity of the person” in Eswatini, including freedom from “arbitrary deprivation of life and unlawful or politically motivated killings.” Confirming there was no inhuman treatment on behalf of the government. But as we are seeing what is unfolding; dead bodies on the streets, what has changed in the situation on the ground since 2020?

Maloney: Pearl, we’ve seen those reports as well and we are communicating with the government and with others that violence is unacceptable. And we’re also urging for transparency and vigorous investigation of these alleged human rights violations.

Matibe: Has Deputy Secretary of State Sherman had phone calls or meetings with Eswatini’s ambassador in the United States, or any authorities in Eswatini? Or has acting assistant secretary Godec, in the Bureau of African Affairs?

Maloney: Not at this point, that I am aware of.

Matibe: Do you have any comment, at least, on freedom of speech and the freedom to peaceful assembly?

Maloney: Well, Pearl, just that we consistently call on the government and our contacts here to respect the right of freedom of speech and the right to assemble and demonstrate and protest peacefully.

Matibe: Thanks, and then I know our time is short. But to close, about the United States’ relationship with Eswatini. Eswatini is the second smallest mainland nation State after The Gambia. Geographically, it is slightly smaller than the State of New Jersey on the US east coast. Can you speak to emaSwatini? What is the US’s national interest in Eswatini? If you were talking to emaSwatini on the street, explain to them why do you care?

Maloney: Pearl, we care about — as we do in other countries — the prosperity and democracy and freedom of citizens very much in mind with our own national priorities. We also are supportive of Eswatini as an ally of Taiwan — the last ally on the continent [of Africa].

We have dedicated significant resources in this country to the health system in response to the HIV and Aids epidemic.

Over the last 16 years, the US has invested more than US$650 million in Eswatini, through PEFPAR, for HIV and Aids assistance which has been amazingly effective in improving the lives and outcomes of the people of Eswatini and in helping the Ministry of Health reach HIV and Aids epidemic control levels that meet the UN Aids guidelines of 95/95/95, which is quite an accomplishment.

We are very, very proud of that and our collaboration with people and the government of Eswatini.