International Politics

NEW YORK, USA - His Majesty King Mswati III has called for resolute rejection of coups and non-recognition of any governments installed through unconstitutional means.

Delivering his address at a special meeting of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) here yesterday, the King emphasised Africa’s firm stance against such power grabs, stressing that no matter how popular a coup might seem, it must face consequences rather than acceptance.

“We must reject any attempt to overthrow a legitimate government,” His Majesty declared. “Those who ascend to power through coups must face consequences not acceptance. The African Union and the United Nations have a responsibility to act decisively, ensuring that no coup is legitimised or recognised. This is not merely a policy - it is a moral imperative.”

The King’s speech came during the AU Observer Mission’s gathering on the sidelines of the 80^th United Nations General Assembly, where leaders discussed pressing security challenges across the continent, including resurgent violent conflicts, unconstitutional changes of government and emerging threats from climate-induced instability to transnational crime.

His Majesty highlighted the AU’s long-standing commitment to not tolerating coups or recognising regimes established by force, drawing on the principles enshrined in the AU’s 50^th Anniversary Solemn Declaration and Agenda 2063, which pledge to silence the guns by 2030.

As Eswatini assumes its role on the AU Peace and Security Council for the 2025-2028 term, the King called for a reassessment of the body’s conflict resolution efforts, urging the codification of best practices from successful interventions and the establishment of a General Assembly-led compliance unit with clear timelines to transform resolutions into unbreakable commitments.

“We must safeguard the efficiency and legitimacy of African solutions to African problems the very essence of our union,” he said, advocating for the full operationalisation of the African Standby Force and bolstered financing through the AU Peace Fund and innovative partnerships.

His Majesty also stressed the need to review the PSC’s relations with partners, including Regional Economic Communities, the UN Security Council, the European Union Peace and Security Committee and the League of Arab States Peace and Security Council, proposing harmonised protocols for joint early warning shared intelligence and coordinated actions under African leadership.

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Eswatini gains UN Climate Forum observer status

NEW YORK, USA - The Kingdom of Eswatini has been granted observer status at the United Nations Climate Vulnerability Forum (CVF-V20).

This is a coalition dedicated to tackling climate change challenges for vulnerable nations.

Agriculture Minister, Mandla Tshawuka, announced the development while delivering remarks on behalf of Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, who was invited to participate in the forum during the UN General Assembly.

“For us, as the Kingdom of Eswatini, efforts to fight climate change and build resilience are vital international issues demanding global attention,” the prime minister said through the minister. “Climate change and vulnerability are not a distant story, but a lived reality. We face its effects continuously through violent hailstorms, prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall patterns.”

He noted that these events lead to hunger, poverty, destruction of critical infrastructure and a regression of livelihoods.

“We, therefore, believe in the urgency of concrete global initiatives to halt the decimation of our production potential, retardation of our economic development and threats to our survival as a species,” Dlamini added.

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HIV prevention drug price cut hailed

NEW YORK, USA - UNAIDS has announced a dramatic price reduction for lenacapavir, a revolutionary HIV prevention drug, described as a watershed moment for global health.

The announcement, made on Tuesday during the United Nations General Assembly, detailed two agreements slashing the cost of lenacapavir from US$ 28 000 (approximately E504 000) per patient per year to just US$ 40 (about E720).

“This is a watershed moment. A price of US$ 40 per person per year is a leap forward that will help unlock the revolutionary potential of long-acting HIV medicines,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima.

Lenacapavir, produced by US company Gilead, prevents HIV infection with just two injections annually. The agreements, supported by UNITAID, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and Wits RHI, enable Indian generic manufacturer Dr Reddy’s Laboratories to offer the drug at US$ 40 per year, with an initial oral dose costing no more than US$ 17 (about E306). The Gates Foundation will support Hetero Drugs with funding and volume guarantees to maintain this price following a short pre-treatment oral regimen.

Byanyima noted that 1.3 million people were infected with HIV in 2024, far exceeding the 2025 target of 370 000.

The PURPOSE 2 Trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found lenacapavir 96 to 100 per cent effective in preventing new HIV infections. UNAIDS estimates that access for 20 million high-risk individuals, including men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs and young women and adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa, could significantly reduce infections and advance the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

“UNITAID, Gates, CHAI, Wits RHI, Reddy, and Hetero have shown what is possible when companies prioritise equitable access to lifesaving medicines. Gilead must match this ambition by reducing its price for lenacapavir, being transparent on cost and pricing, expanding its generics licence to all low and middle-income countries, and enabling rapid access for more people in developing countries,” Byanyima said.

Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula welcomed the development, calling it timely for Eswatini. “We support the reduced pricing for this important commodity in the fight against HIV. This ensures government can roll it out to all who need it. One of our vulnerabilities has been the persistently high rate of new infections among women of childbearing age and this will help us turn this trend around,” he said.

NERCHA Executive Director Dr Nondumiso Ncube and Board Chairman Ntsika Fakudze, attending the UN General Assembly, described the breakthrough as a game changer for HIV prevention globally. “As a country, we are looking forward to its launch during World AIDS Day on December 1 and have it ready for roll-out in January. Through UNAIDS, we have been promised about US$ 660 000 (approximately E11.8 million) for a start, which is likely to benefit about 16 000 emaSwati,” Dr Ncube said. She added that PEPFAR has pledged further funding to support the programme.

Dr Ncube noted that Eswatini has been prioritised for the drug, with roll-out guidelines being developed with the World Health Organisation. “emaSwati were either taking medications daily or monthly. Now, they will only need two injections per year at a lower cost per patient,” she said.

*Full article available in our publication.

His Majesty King Mswati III delivering his address at a special meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council yesterday. (Pics: Bawethu Sithole - State Photographer)

Present at the AU Peace and Security Council session were Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Pholile Shakantu (L), King’s Private Secretary Mbongeni Simelane (C) and Deputy Principal Chief of Protocol Baya Dlamini.

His Majesty the King with other heads of State and government during the special meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council yesterday.