Africa-Press – Eswatini. Government has requested Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to allow the country to define its own democracy and resolve its matters without interference.
“We believe true democracy should be about a nation truly defining its destiny and not about a neighbouring party talking above to another nation,” said Government Deputy Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli.
She further said Eswatini would maintain its resolve to engage internally on all matters of importance that involve its nationals.
“As previously stated, border blockades are illegal in accordance with international border crossing facilitation agreements and conventions. They also affect the economy as well as Emaswati who rely on cross-border trade for a living,” she said.
Mdluli said the continued attempts to obstruct trade and the free movement of people were born out of a lack of understanding of how our societies work and are strongly discouraged as they do not benefit Emaswati in any way.
Government’s comments came after South Africa’s EFF joined Eswatini pro-democracy groups and blockaded several borders of Eswatini between 9am and 2pm yesterday. The blockades were said to be a call to Eswatini government for the unbanning of political parties ahead of the much anticipated national dialogue. The party members had heeded to the call from their President Julius Malema who last Thursday announced the party’s support for the protest, saying only food and medication would be allowed into the country.
Three buses and several cars ferried the protesters to the Oshoek Border Post at about 9am, where they demonstrated, blocking the flow of traffic within the borders linking the two countries.
While other protesters were at the Oshoek border Post, others were at Matsamo and Golela Border Post also blocking goods and vehicles. Speaking during the protest at Oshoek Border Post, EFF Head of International Relations Godrich Gardee called upon government to unban all political parties, saying this would lead to a genuine and meaningful dialogue.
“We are saying today’s celebration should not be a holiday since it has an economic impact to the people of Eswatini and South Africa. We are also calling for the unbanning of all political parties so that they can be allowed to participate in the upcoming national dialogue and in government. We call for the repeal of the 1973 proclamation,” he said. He also stated that on September 6, they would be blocking the borders again if no political reforms would have taken place.
Similarly, other members of the party said they felt that SADC had failed to help the country in resolving the issues that resulted in the unrest and thus blocked the borders in solidarity with the pro-democracy groups in Eswatini.
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