Times Of Swaziland: TERRORISM NOT ENCOURAGED WORLDWIDE - KING

TERRORISM NOT ENCOURAGED WORLDWIDE - KING
================================================================================
Sibusiso Shange on 04/07/2022 08:44:00


LUDZIDZINI - His Majesty King Mswati III says terrorism is something that is not
encouraged worldwide.
The King said people should live in harmony so that they could be able to
develop their economies. The Monarch was responding when asked about the
Commonwealth’s stance as far as terrorism was concerned. The question was:
‘‘How does the Commonwealth seek to deal with terrorism, as Eswatini
Government has declared Swaziland News Editor Zweli Martin Dlamini and Swaziland
News as terrorists.’’ Dlamini and Swaziland News (Pty) Ltd were classified
as terrorist entities by Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini last Thursday.
Interjected
However, one of the media officer interjected and asked the journalist to stick
to the King’s report on his visit to Rwanda and Singapore. “Buta ngeluhambo
lwase Rwanda nase Singapore hhayi lokunye,” said the media officer in
vernacular, loosely translating to mean: “Stick to the King’s visit to
Rwanda and Singapore.” It should be noted that in his reports, the King
mentioned that the Commonwealth and its member States were committed to joining
hands in recovering economies which were affected by COVID-19 and other
problems, which he, however, did not mention. It is a fact though that apart
from COVID-19, Eswatini’s economy has been hugely affected by the ongoing
political impasse which has seen public and private properties worth millions of
Emalangeni being burnt down by unknown arsonists.
Arson
The arson attacks on the private and public properties have seen many people
losing their jobs since the beginning of the calls for change. In a recent
interview with Newzroom Africa, Dlamini declared his newspaper as a prodemocracy
newspaper, which he said represented the views of the prodemocracy movement. He
also stated that the stance by government was just propaganda which was aimed at
silencing him and instilling fear among the prodemocracy movement. He stated
that even though his newspaper was registered in South Africa, he would continue
to hold the Government of Eswatini accountable. Even though the question was
incomplete as a result of the interjection, the King said he was not yet
informed about events that took place (in Eswatini) while on his work visit to
Rwanda and Singapore.
He stated that as things stood, he might take the question as a briefing from
the journalist who seemed aware of the latest developments. However, he said in
general, terrorism was not encouraged worldwide. He stated that the Commonwealth
was also concerned about terrorism as all people deserved to live in harmony so
that they could be able to work towards improving their economies. The King also
reported about the increase of Commonwealth membership from 54 to 56 countries.
He stated that new members were Togo and Gabon. The Monarch said the main focus
was on strategies aimed at strengthening relationships in dealing with the
effects of COVID-19, among other challenges on the economies.
He stated that the commonwealth was committed to dealing with social issues
which had been identified on the African continent and overseas during the
pandemic. He said COVID-19 had resulted in many job losses and deaths across the
globe, something he said was not good at all. The King said as Commonwealth
member States, they also felt that strengthening technology, which became more
effective in the economic drive during the course of COVID-19, could be the best
solution. He stated that developed countries were willing to share their
experiences with their member States so that they could not lose momentum.
Meeting
The King stated that there were many programmes shared during the course of the
meeting. He also announced that Africa was left with two years to take over the
secretariat from the other regions in the next elections. The King was welcomed
by the prime minister, some Cabinet ministers, members of the royal family and
the general public at the King Mswati III International Airport. The Monarch
then proceeded to Ludzidzini Royal Residence where he reported about his first
work visit to the two countries after two years due to COVID-19.
Also noted was that security personnel were littered along the road leading to
the international airport. Two helicopters were flying over the convoy.