The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has urged the people of the Kingdom of Eswatini to engage in dialogue to resolve the impasse that led to a week of pro-democracy protests.
A SADC delegation is in the land-locked kingdom on a fact-finding mission.
The President of Botswana and Chairperson of the SADeC Troika, Dr Mogweetsi Masisi, was accompanied by Botswana Minister of International Affairs, Dr Lemohang Kwape. They met with the acting eSwatini Prime Minister, Themba Masuku.
Calm returns following week-long pro-democracy protests:
The delegation expressed concern about the disruption of economic activity during the protests.
SADC urged all individuals, groups, and organisations that have grievances to desists from acts of violence and do so through established platforms. It also called on the security forces to exercises restraint in their response to restore order.
Government estimates the damages to about 3-billion Emalangini, which is an equivalent of R3 billion. Over 5 000 jobs are said to have been lost as a result of the civil protest.
But calm has since returned to the country, with delivery trucks again crossing into the landlocked kingdom.
It’s, however, unclear if the internet has been restored after it was suspended since Wednesday.
Attempted to get hold of the government has been unsuccessful.
PUDEMO leader Mlungisi Makhanya updates on the situation:
