EU SHOCKED AT MINISTER SIKHANYISO’S LIVE BROADCAST OF PRIVATE TALKS

MBABANE – Shocker!

A high-level meeting meant to be a private political dialogue between two entities bound by high protocol rules turned into a live broadcast on Instagram after Minister of Information and Communications (ICT) Princess Sikhanyiso left her timeline feed logged on. The European Union (EU) and the government of Eswatini held their 22nd Political Dialogue on June 2, 2023 at Royal Villas in Ezulwini. The political dialogue, which is convened on the basis of Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement signed between the EU and Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries including Eswatini, was confirmed to be a private meeting by EU. The structure of the meeting reflects that it is usually behind closed doors and the public is updated through a communiqué after the sessions.

debated

The minister, who was part of the meeting with some officials from her ministry, left her phone logged on after she was picked by Principal Secretary (PS) Phesheya Dube from a holding area to join the delegates inside the meeting hall. It could not be ascertained whether she left her phone logged on to the live broadcast on purpose or not, as she did not respond to a questionnaire sent to her through her PS Dube. However, just before she was picked from the holding area, the minister audibly debated on whether to log off or keep her viewers logged on. She did not mention the time frame or place where she was going to log off but gave the phone to an official who followed her inside the meeting. “I am actually going to log-off when the presentation begins. It’s been lovely family. I am going to call it a day. Okay family, peace and love; actually I might just keep you posted, might just keep you logged in. thank you,” (sic) she said before handing the phone over to the official.   

Elegantly dressed in a red three-piece power suit, the minister started her live broadcast inside her car before Dube and other officials from the Ministry of ICT escorted her to the holding room. Dube subsequently briefed her on what the EU expected her to cover in her presentation. She asked if the EU had made any enquiries regarding the laws in ICT and further said the organisation should be focusing on assisting the country with funds in the agriculture sector to eradicate poverty as compared to the political dialogue meeting. Dube informed the minister that most of the topics were covered before the minister arrived and that officials from the ministry provided sufficient answers to questions from the EU delegate. The minister then picked up her other phone and called someone she referred as her advisor while engaging briefly with the live audience on instagram.

consult

She revealed, in the phone call, that the meeting wanted to engage on the Broadcasting Bill aimed at increasing the number of broadcasters in the country. She also mentioned that the issue of the unbundling of Eswatini Post and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) was another important issue that she was expected to address. She was advised to consult the Board as it was at a better position to clarify the matter. The minister wondered why international organisations were interested in the unbundling of EPTC. She also indicated her appreciation for the work that EU had done in supporting the country by providing financial support. However, the minister also indicated that the EU had an upper hand over the country and such meetings were usually tough.

“I should be preparing and going over my remarks, when preparation meets opportunity success is guaranteed. Bayafaka labantfu imali lakaNgwane (they greatly assist the country financially). I am not sure if I was cut out for political dialogue or not. I wish I could always come with good news and always give to people than to deal with hardcore stuff,” she said.
While inside the meeting, the minister’s phone captured discussions live and the audience on Instagram could hear what was being discussed. The death of Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko was among the topics discussed during the political dialogue held between Eswatini and the European Union (EU).

recommendations

Though the discussion on the death of the renowned lawyer and political activist did not feature in the live broadcast by Princess Sikhanyiso, information sourced from EU website www.eeas.europa.eu reflected that this issue was discussed and recommendations were made. The communication was posted on the website on Thursday June 8, 2023. On human rights matters, the EU was briefed on the investigations into the assassination of Maseko, who was cold-bloodedly gunned down on January 21, 2023 in front of his wife and children inside his house at KaLuhleko, in the Manzini Region. “The EU took the opportunity to brief the government on the implications of the European Parliament resolution of February 16, 2023 on the human rights situation in Eswatini taken in the wake of Maseko’s assassination. As a way forward, the EU proposed the establishment of a human rights dialogue with Eswatini to be held annually between the two partners,” said the statement.

The EU also got an update from the government on the recently concluded case of Members of Parliament (MPs), Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza of Hosea and Mthandeni Dube of Ngwempisi. The two MPs were, on the eve of the dialogue (June 1, 2023), both found guilty by High Court Judge Mumcy Dlamini on three counts of terrorism, murder and inciting violence. Their charges emanated from the June 2021 political uprising, which left at least 46 people dead and others injured (according to Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration/Integrity (CHRPAI) report).

high-level

EU Ambassador to Eswatini, Dessislava Choumelova, led the EU side, which comprised six other Ambassadors from EU Member States (Germany, Finland, France, Ireland, The Netherlands and Spain) accredited to Eswatini but based in Pretoria and Maputo. Senior diplomats from Belgium, Portugal and Sweden were also a part of the high-level meeting. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Pholile Shakantu, led the Eswatini Government side, which comprised four Cabinet Ministers including Princess Sikhanyiso and other government officials. Ambassador Choumelova and Minister Shakantu co-chaired the dialogue. The dialogue, held at Royal Villas in Ezulwini, covered a wide range of issues including political and legislative matters, human rights, the rule of law, development cooperation and trade, as well some regional and global issues.

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