By Phephile Motau
Prime Minister (PM) Cleopas Dlamini says the African Union (AU) peace and security council has called for the AU Commission, SADC, and Eswatini to promote peace and dialogue toward the resolution of the political and social crisis in the country.
Dlamini said this upon his return from the AU Summit which was held in its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia between February 18 and 19. He was representing His Majesty, King Mswati III.
He arrived in the country on Tuesday via the King Mswati III International Airport. He said the AU Summit which is the annual meeting where we countries review a wide range of issues ranging from food security, energy, and structures of the United Nations (UN).
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He said the Heads of States and Governments meeting on the 36th session considered decisions and the declarations of the 42nd ordinary session of the council of ministers held before the Summit.
The PM was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Thuli Dladla and the Minister of Commerce Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo.
Dlamini said the summit adopted several reports delivered by chairmen of specific interventions. This incorporated some key decisions to guide and inform the work of the AU.
He said one of the decisions taken includes the report of the activities of the Peace and Security Council and the state of peace and security in Africa. The PM said the chairman reported that the peace and security council expressed grave concern over the persistent conflict, terrorism, and violent extremism across the continent.
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He said they further urged the peace and security council to prioritise the implementation of the outcome of the 16th ordinary session of the assembly of the union held in Equatorial Guinea in May 2022 to robustly respond to pressing matters of unconstitutional changes of governments and the threat caused by terrorism and violent extremism.
“The security council also noted with concern the unfolding situation in the Kingdom of Eswatini and requested the AU Commission in coordination with SADC and the Kingdom of Eswatini to promote peace and dialogue towards the resolution of the political and social crisis in the country,” Dlamini said.
He added that the peace and security council expressed grave concern over the persistence of multiple complex challenges that undermine that achievement of silencing all guns in Africa by 2030, particularly decrying terrorism and violent extremism, the surge of terrorist fighters and mercenaries, illicit circulation of arms and weapons, foreign political and military interference, and the outbreak of epidemics and pandemics in the continent.
