Times Of Swaziland: TRUTH, RECONCILIATION PLATFORM NEEDED

TRUTH, RECONCILIATION PLATFORM NEEDED
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Alex Nxumalo on 01/09/2024 07:46:00


The occurrences that profoundly impacted the nation in June 2021 continue to
resonate with a significant portion of the population.
Regardless of the efforts made by some to move on, the memories remain
inescapable. Following the events, the nation continues to be divided,
characterised by a fragile tranquillity intertwined with a pervasive fear of the
government that impacts many, particularly those advocating for reform. The use
of force, along with harassment, intimidation, and the exile and contentious -
in the eyes of some - imprisonment of certain individuals demanding change, is
attributed by some as the underlying cause of the superficial ‘peace’
currently observed in the country. The million Dollar question asked by some is:
Is it peace or forced silence?
There are ongoing concerns among certain individuals in our kingdom regarding
the sustainability of this apparent tranquility.  Questions persist about the
duration for which this superficial calm will endure, as well as the potential
resurgence of the underlying discontent towards the government, characterised by
its undemocratic practices and the excessive force employed to suppress
dissenting voices. It would be a significant understatement to assert that all
citizens are content with the current governmental system. A portion of the
populace is dissatisfied, and this discontent is the crux of the issue.
Assurances
Acting Minister of National Defence and Security, Pholile Shakantu recently made
assurances to senators that the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) remains
vigilant to prevent a recurrence of the June 2021 unrest. This was disclosed
recently when the Ministry of National Defence and Security was presenting its
first quarter performance report for the year 2024/25 financial year before its
Senate Portfolio Committee. It is beyond question that a significant portion of
the population including yours truly, fervently hopes that our nation will never
again endure the horrific and fatal occurrences that transpired in June 2021.
The events of that time will remain etched in the memories of many for the
duration of their lives.  The scars inflicted by the violent turmoil are still
vivid and unresolved. A segment of the community is in dire need of closure
regarding the tragic conflict that unfolded during that period. As a nation, it
is imperative that we collectively and urgently implement measures to prevent a
recurrence of the tragic events of that year. I also fervently hope that these
measures should not include threats, intimidation and the suppression of
citizens’ fundamental human rights.
Will the accusations by some use of force and intimidation by the administration
to bring ‘peace’ sustain itself for eternity? That is another million Dollar
question. Without any shadow of doubt, opting to use force and other
unconstitutional means to achieve peace more often than not has disastrous
outcomes such as hardening the hearts of the people, often leading to what the
country experienced in June 2021.  There are numerous tried and tested
strategies that historically have been employed by some countries that were
previously engulfed in internal conflict which worked effectively to bring what
is called ‘positive peace’.
Human rights and peace advocates point out that ‘positive peace’ is about
much more than just avoiding conflict. It embodies a comprehensive state of
harmony, justice and well-being both within and among societies.Positive peace
creates an environment where individuals can flourish, communities can thrive
and nations can live together in harmony. At its essence, positive peace is
rooted in the values of respect, understanding and empathy. It goes beyond
geographic, political and ideological divides, flourishing instead through
compassionate interactions, mutual support and collaborative solutions.
Policymakers
It promotes the belief that building peace is not solely the job of diplomats
and policymakers, but a shared responsibility that involves everyone in society.
This is exactly what we should strive for in this beautiful country - work
towards achieving positive peace. One of the most important strategies we need
to adopt, both individually and collectively, to prevent conflicts like the June
2021 incident, is to embrace honesty and be open to examining what caused the
unrest. To move forward, it is essential that accountability for the disastrous
outcomes of the unrestricted is prioritised.
Before we implement any preventive measures, including the potential involvement
of the military in preventing any threats of conflict as mentioned by the
minister, we need to establish a genuine and trustworthy truth and
reconciliation platform. This platform should address the underlying issues that
led to the unrest and, importantly, hold accountable those responsible for the
most devastating event in our nation’s history. Those involved in peaceful
resolution of conflict point out that, “In the aftermath of a deadly internal
conflict, the establishment of a truth and reconciliation platform holds
paramount importance in fostering healing, unity and justice within the affected
society.
“Such a platform serves as a crucial mechanism for addressing historical
injustices, promoting accountability and steering the society towards a path of
reconciliation and peace. “One of the key reasons why a truth and
reconciliation platform is indispensable after a deadly internal conflict is its
role in uncovering and acknowledging the truth. “During times of conflict,
misinformation, propaganda and suppression of information often prevail, leading
to a distorted narrative of events.
Victims
“By providing a platform for individuals to share their stories and
experiences, the truth can emerge, shedding light on the reality of what
transpired. “This truth-telling process is foundational in acknowledging the
suffering of victims, holding perpetrators accountable, and creating an accurate
historical record of the conflict. “Moreover, a truth and reconciliation
platform facilitates the vital process of healing and reconciliation. Victims of
the conflict, often burdened by trauma and grief, are given the opportunity to
be heard and validated.
“This validation of their experiences is a critical step towards healing and
can contribute to the restoration of their dignity and sense of justice.
Furthermore, the platform can be instrumental in promoting empathy and
understanding among different segments of the society, bridging divides and
fostering a collective commitment to rebuilding a peaceful and inclusive
community.”
Isn’t the above what the doctor ordered for our situation? It is crucial that
the establishment of a truth and reconciliation platform is essential for
identifying sustainable solutions that will avert any future instances of
unrest. Embarking on this noble concept would surely not require any use of
threats, force or otherwise as a means of silencing voices calling reforms.
Furthermore, fostering an inclusive dialogue is critical for bringing
conflicting parties together to discuss their differences, agree to disagree and
ultimately reach a mutually acceptable compromise or solution.
There have been significant calls for such inclusive dialogue from both domestic
entities and the international community, which have largely been overlooked by
the current and previous administrations. Despite the administration’s
assertion that the Sibaya gathering addressed the need for dialogue, it remains
vital to listen to those advocating for totally inclusive discussions held free
from an intimidating environment. Recall the aggressive snatching of a
microphone from a liSwati who was making his contribution during the Sibaya
gathering? To her credit, government later apologised for that nasty incident.
Sadly, the incident proved beyond reasonable doubt that human rights such as
freedom of expression are frowned upon by proponents of the system of
government. Failure to take concrete and internationally accepted steps of
achieving lasting peace may lead some citizens to believe that the peace the
administration claims exists is merely a façade of enforced silence. Regardless
of the administration’s attempts to downplay the events of June 2021, the
memories of that period will not simply fade away. Lives were lost on both sides
of the conflict, and accountability along with reconciliation are imperative for
establishing genuine and enduring peace.
Unrest
Upon reviewing the speech delivered by the acting minister of National Defence
and Security, as reported by the Eswatini Times, it became apparent that she,
whether intentionally or not, neglected to address the underlying causes of the
unrest. Furthermore, she failed to acknowledge the tragic loss of life among the
victims of the unrest, as well as the subsequent fatalities of several security
personnel and the targeting of political activists in the aftermath. Instead,
similar to some of her predecessors, including those currently in the
administration and the Legislature, she chose to focus solely on the impact of
the unrest on businesses, disregarding the human toll it entailed.
While underscoring the military’s preparedness, Shakantu emphasised that the
foremost priority is to cultivate peace among the emaSwati people. She further
highlighted the necessity of fostering peace throughout all sectors of the
nation’s framework, calling for collaborative efforts to maintain stability.
The committee members had enquired about the army’s capability to safeguard
the nation against external threats that may disrupt peace. Personally, I
appreciate that the minister emphasised the need to promote peace. Peace, as
opposed to conflict, requires a collective effort. To achieve it, we must firmly
discourage the use of force and brutality. Such approaches do not bring about
the peace we desire; rather, they toughen the hearts and minds of individuals.
One significant reason that individuals and communities resist the use of force
is due to its psychological and emotional repercussions. Violence breeds
animosity: Not only does the initial injustice often become more pronounced
through the actions of those who felt compelled to participate, but those who
have been wronged yearn to avenge their grievances. This can lead to a
destructive cycle of violence. Consequently, rather than creating an environment
that promotes peace, the use of force typically cultivates a society rife with
mistrust and hostility.
Additionally, the application of force severely hinders the ability to build
authentic relationships and engage in meaningful dialogue between conflicting
parties.
The presence of force conveys that the chances for true understanding and
reconciliation diminish—it is supplanted by a dynamic rooted in control and
oppression. This scenario can further exacerbate feelings of alienation,
intensify hostilities and complicate the pursuit of shared interests necessary
for achieving lasting peace. The minister emphasised the importance of
individual responsibility in the defence of the nation. She pointed out that the
incidents observed during the recent unrest were not ones they wished to see
repeated.  Elaborating further, she expressed that the country must dismiss the
idea that opposing viewpoints warrant the destruction of property. I agree with
the minister’s statement, but it’s crucial to avoid bias and not place the
blame solely on one side for the events that led to the violence in June 2021.
Allegations
Security forces faced criticism for their heavy-handed approach in trying to
control the situation. Tragically, lives were lost and there are allegations
suggesting that security forces may have been involved in the deaths of the
protesters. Minister Shakantu urged the emaSwati to foster peace across all
sectors, emphasising that a lack of peace hinders business growth.
She noted that many businesses affected by the unrest are still struggling. In
her conclusion, she stated, “It is our collective responsibility as emaSwati
to advocate for peace,” and she reassured that the military will safeguard us
from external threats to our stability. However, the minister’s apparent focus
only on businesses that were affected by the unrest - without acknowledging the
loss of lives - I hope that It was a significant oversight.
I don’t want to believe that the minister and government are indifferent to
the deaths of protesters, but if that is indeed their position, I fear that the
real peace we all desire so much will remain elusive. It’s important to
recognise that overlooking the loss of precious lives and failing to address
this issue can breed resentment towards the system, overshadowing any positive
aspects that may exist. In conclusion, it must be stated clearly that a growing
number of our citizens harbour a deep-seated disdain for the government and its
leaders.
That said, wishing everyone a great weekend and blessed week ahead. Peace!
Shalom!