MAKE OUR GLOBAL PRESENCE COUNT

The Kingdom of Eswatini has recently garnered attention on the global stage this month, securing important roles in significant international decision-making forums and growing it’s influence. The country has been elected to represent the Southern African region on the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council for the term 2025-2028. In addition to this, the former Minister for Agriculture, Moses Vilakati, has been elected as the new Commissioner for the African Union Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment of the AU.

Also, the Minister for Information, Communications and Technology, Savannah Maziya, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Global Council on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, an important role focused on advancing gender equality globally. Maziya’s colleague at Cabinet, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Pholile Shakantu, has also been elected as President of the Bureau of the Council of Ministers of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) recently.

Reflect

There are, of course, many more locals serving in key international positions, but we do not often reflect on their roles and how the country is harnessing their valuable experiences to its advantage. There ought to be a deliberate effort to ensure that our representatives in these global organs return to contribute meaningfully to our national development initiatives and reduce the gap with the first world.

During the recent opening of parliament, His Majesty the King urged emaSwati to rise to the challenge of transforming this country to a higher level and asserting a competitive position on the global stage. The responsibilities assumed by the country this month are certainly elevating our stature in the international arena and providing valuable experience. What remains to be seen is how we will make this count. Taking a seat on the AU Peace and Security Council is no small feat. It presents the kingdom with a significant opportunity to play a crucial role in promoting peace and security throughout the continent.

Achievement

It arrives against a backdrop of significant security challenges across Africa, notably in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Sahel region and beyond. Being a member of the AU Peace and Security Council is a significant achievement that reflects the kingdom’s not-so-pronounced growing global prominence and commitment to positively contributing to international matters.

This experience, one hopes, will help enhance our own security issues and promote long-lasting peace and stability. In acknowledging this responsibility to the member countries at the recent AU Summit in Ethiopia, the King has committed to collaborating with fellow member states. Eswatini’s recent election to the security organ has been further underscored by its successful advocacy for the election of former Minister for Agriculture, Vilakati, as the new Commissioner for the African Union Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment.

This is yet another significant role that should enable Eswatini to take a prominent stance in influencing Africa’s development agenda. Vilakati’s key mandate is to enhance food self-sufficiency across the continent and diminish reliance on food imports as well as ensure we develop in a sustainable way by protecting the environment. In an interview following his election, Vilakati stressed that the continent spends approximately US$100 billion annually on food imports, undermining the continent’s potential to achieve food security. We urge Vilakati to use this experience to significantly contribute to advancing Eswatini’s food sovereignty objectives.

Although this country has significant agricultural potential, it has not yet fully exploited it. Eswatini also looks forward to benefitting from the leadership role assumed by Minister Maziya as the Chairperson of the Global Council on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5. This is a crucial role focused on advancing gender equality globally. We have a very competent minister who is results-driven and the amount of work she has done in the year in-office speaks for itself. The role ties in perfectly with her dedication to advancing gender equality in Eswatini, especially in the ICT and STEM space and we look forward to success in this regard. In the same vein, the country stands to benefit from Minister Shakantu’s election as President of the Bureau of the Council of Ministers of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS).
 

Enhance

While this elevates Shakantu’s experience in international relations, we look forward to seeing this opportunity enhance Eswatini’s relationships with other nations and advance their interests internationally. Another local with a key position among many at the AU is the country’s Ambassador to the AU, Mahlaba Mamba, who serves as the Chairperson of the AU Bureau of PRC Subcommittee on Humanitarian Affairs. The PRC is the Permanent Representatives Committee, which conducts the day-to-day business of the AU on behalf of the Assembly and Executive Council.

It is commendable for the King and citizens to be entrusted with these significant responsibilities and we expect the knowledge and experience acquired to count positively for our development. This opportunity also provides a stage for our representatives to also advocate for the nation’s priorities while serving the region, the continent and the global community. We must not only assert our small country on the global stage, but also surpass expectations and utilise these developments to inspire optimism for the future of little Eswatini. Good luck to all.

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