WE’RE READY TO MEDIATE - CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES

MBABANE –  Eswatini Conference of Churches (ECC) has broken its silence on the current political turmoil in the country and offered to mediate between government and the citizens.

ECC issued a statement calling for an inclusive dialogue between government and all stakeholders, encouraging the nation to peacefully submit their petitions in a non-violent manner. The church mother body emphasised on the urgency of the dialogue.
“We, as the Christian mother body, are committed to mediate between government and all concerned stakeholders in Eswatini. We would like to urge all stakeholders to take heed of this urgent call for meaningful engagement in finding a lasting solution to the prevailing socio-political instability,” said the statement by (ECC).

resolution

ECC called upon government to commit itself to a peaceful resolution and open the negotiation table to engage the people on their petitions. The council, through its executive Board, has called upon the country’s leadership to create a dialogue platform where the people will be engaged and a lasting solution found. ECC had been silent on the issue since the beginning of the political reform protest. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Themba Ngozo said the organisation is well aware of the role that the church plays in the society and, therefore, there was a need to assess the situation before the executive Board could meet and make a collective statement on the matter. “We are a Christian organisation that is under the values of our religion and we are also aware of the role that the church plays in influencing the behaviour of the society, especially the youth. Our duty as a church borders around the advocacy for peace, equality and stability and, therefore, the Board will be rightly placed to make a formal comment on this one,” he said. In the statement the church mother body appealed to government and the citizens to engage in a peaceful dialogue regarding the issues raised by the people through petitions delivered in different constituencies.

platform

ECC said they appreciate government’s effort for providing an email platform where the people can continue to voice out their concerns.  “As a church mother body we exist to promote peace and encourage unity. We are deeply concerned about the ongoing riots and growing political instability taking place in the country. We reiterate the call for peaceful, inclusive engagements of all affected stakeholders,” reads the statement. ECC further called upon government to urgently open meaningful negotiations with the people to find solutions to the ongoing socio-political crisis. They also appealed to the citizens to engage in non-violent approaches to resolve the issues that had been raised with government. “ECC observes that the ongoing violence and destruction of property will not bring lasting solutions to the socio-economic and political instability in the country. We would like to extend our sympathy to all who have been negatively affected by the ongoing protests, violence and vandalism,” said ECC.

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