EZULWINI – History unfolded in the heart of the Kingdom of Eswatini yesterday.
This is as delegates from Europe and Africa converged at the newly-opened Ezulwini Palazzo for the inaugural EU, Africa Parliamentary Assembly under the Samoa Agreement, a landmark gathering signalling a new chapter in relations between the two continents.
The event was officially opened by His Majesty King Mswati III who in his address delivered a clear message of partnership, optimism and Eswatini’s growing role on the international stage.
Welcoming delegates to the kingdom, His Majesty highlighted Eswatini’s ambition to position itself alongside developed nations through strategic partnerships, infrastructure development and constructive diplomacy.
“Your presence here reflects the enduring strength of the partnership between Africa and Europe and our collective commitment to multilateral engagement,” the King said.
A major highlight of the occasion was the hosting of the assembly at the Ezulwini Palazzo for the very first time.
His Majesty described the milestone as evidence of Eswatini’s commitment to international engagement and modern infrastructure development.
“We are proud that this facility begins its journey by hosting a forum dedicated to partnership, peace, democratic dialogue and sustainable development between Africa and Europe,” he said.
The speech struck a strongly forward-looking tone, positioning parliamentary diplomacy as a critical instrument in addressing contemporary global challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, geopolitical tensions and technological transformation.
His Majesty noted that the assembly’s agenda reflected issues of strategic importance to both continents, including peace and security, youth mobility and education, women’s economic empowerment and critical minerals partnerships.
Particularly noteworthy was the emphasis on inclusivity, with the King commending the integration of youth, women and business forums into the parliamentary proceedings.
“The inclusion of the Youth Forum, Women’s Forum and Business Forum alongside the parliamentary proceedings demonstrates a commendable people-centred and inclusive approach to cooperation,” he said.
His Majesty also reaffirmed Eswatini’s support for the Samoa Agreement, describing it as an important framework for advancing trade, investment, climate resilience, education and digital transformation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union.
In a strong statement on Africa’s development priorities, the King stressed the importance of industrialisation, infrastructure development, technological innovation and ensuring that Africa’s natural resources benefit its people.
“We also believe that Africa’s natural resources, including critical minerals, must contribute meaningfully to inclusive growth and sustainable prosperity for African people,” he said.
The address concluded with a renewed call for strengthened multilateralism and practical cooperation between Africa and Europe, while expressing confidence that the assembly would deliver lasting solutions to shared challenges.
“Our people from different regions are following this assembly with keen interest because they are confident it will come out with a clear direction for the future of our populace of inclusive development, leaving no one behind,” His Majesty said.
Meanwhile, Eswatini Parliament Speaker Jabulani Mabuza described the gathering as ‘historic’, not merely because of the scale of attendance, but because of what the Assembly represents in the evolving relationship between Africa and Europe under the OACPS framework and the Samoa Agreement.
“We do not use the word ‘historic’ lightly in parliamentary life,” Mabuza told delegates. “But I say to you today, without hesitation, that what we inaugurate here is historic.”
The Speaker said the Assembly marked a significant shift away from traditional executive-driven agreements towards a more inclusive partnership shaped directly by elected representatives.
“For decades, the framework governing relations between African States and Europe was largely defined through agreements negotiated at executive level,” he said. “From Lomé to Cotonou, those agreements did important work. But they were often negotiated far from the everyday realities of the citizens whose lives they would ultimately affect.”
He said the Samoa Agreement had opened the door to a ‘more modern and balanced partnership’, adding that parliamentarians now had a central role to play in shaping that relationship.
“This Assembly is, therefore, not merely procedural,” Mabuza said. “It is symbolic of a broader evolution in the partnership between Africa and Europe, one grounded increasingly in dialogue between peoples, institutions and elected representatives.”
A major theme of Mabuza’s address was the symbolic importance of Ezulwini as the venue for the inaugural Assembly.
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