GOVT ABSENT FROM USA INDEPENDENCE FESTIVITY

US Ambassador Makila James chats with South African High Commissioner Happy Mahlangu.

MBABANE – Government was conspicuously absent at the commemoration of the 238th Anniversary of the United States of America Independence held at the USA ambassador’s official residence yesterday.

There was no Cabinet minister or any other senior government official, nor a representative of King Mswati III at the celebration, which was held at the Thembelihle residence of US Ambassador to Swaziland, Makila James.

This was an unprecedented occurrence, as not even any of the King’s Emakhosikati and other members of the royal family were present.

This left a lot of questions in the minds of the people present, as the country was recently de-registered from the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the US Government for failing to meet conditions bordering on workers’ rights.

The event was scheduled for 3pm, but started an hour late as guests were still arriving.  It became clear that no representatives from government would attend. Some embassy staff started removing two of four chairs from the stage. Guests also appeared to be getting concerned that the event was taking too long to start.

When it finally began, the ambassador maintained her cool and did not look perturbed by the absence of the kingdom’s dignitaries. She did not openly express her sentiments to the close to 100 invited guests about their non-attendance.

In fact, a copy of her speech showed that Prince Lonkhokhela was supposed to be the King’s representative, followed by Emakhosikati, royal councillors and Cabinet ministers.  However, there were some Members of Parliament (MPs), members of the judiciary and also members of the diplomatic corps. The ambassador’s speech was centred on the importance of the protection of fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition government for redress of grievances.  She said these defined the United States.

“As a friend and partner of Swaziland, we note that the country stands at a critical juncture.  It is undergoing challenges that threaten to undermine freedom of speech, respect for the rule of law and judicial independence that are guaranteed in Swaziland’s own Constitution. 
“His Majesty’s vision for Swaziland is threatened if dissenting voices are forced into silence, whether through political, economic, social, or legal oppression,” said James.

She mentioned that one of the cornerstones of a strong democracy is well-informed debate and decision making.  She opined that criticism and dissent were absolutely fundamental to a democracy’s survival.  The ambassador also wondered what it meant for Swaziland if journalists and lawyers can be arrested and subjected to prolonged detention for questioning the actions of the Judiciary, or any other branch of government.  By this, she meant the plight of The Nation Magazine Editor Bheki Makhubu and Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko, who have been incarceration for three months on charges of contempt of court.

“What other mechanism exists to keep government’s power in check?  If the actions of the government are in accordance with the law, then surely they will stand up to scrutiny.  And if they are not, then they deserve to be exposed for what they really are,” James said.

She continued: “I would guess that most people would not want to live in a society in which sincere and earnest questions are answered with shackles and the isolation of a jail cell.  The greatest countries are those which protect the rights of all citizens, even, and perhaps especially, those who are critical of it.”

Nonetheless, the commemoration of the Independence Day proceeded to the end without any glitch, though the absence of the national dignitaries proved to be a talking point for many guests.

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