OPEN LETTER TO SADC TROIKA on State Violence in eSwatini

The violence and brutality of the government of eSwatini cannot just be condemned or be dealt with through issuance of lukewarm statements but requires decisiveness in holding the government accountable to the violence and atrocities visited upon the people of eSwatini.

No State in the Southern African region has a monopoly of violence against its citizens. Any act of violence by a State must be sanctioned and the state be held to account for such acts.

We call on the leaders of SADC to act swiftly against the government of Eswatini by demanding an immediate cease of violence against its citizens and ensuring that every citizen injured receives medical attention and those responsible for acts of violence are brought to justice to account for their actions.

We raise these issues because history has taught us that when violence starts and the State commits acts of violence against its citizens with impunity, women bear the brunt of such atrocities.

SADC countries have high levels of gender based violence in general, we have a responsibility to stop the high tolerance for witnessing violence. States and governments must resist the socialization that teaches passive acceptance of violence in daily life, that tells us problems are resolved through. We have a responsibility to work towards a violence free society and that begins with the State. We therefore call upon the SADC TROIKA to act accordingly to ensure the safety and security of the people of eSwatini.

Why is this important?

This cause is important because we want to stop the violence against citizens in Eswatini. The Government needs to be held accountable for the violence and the atrocities visited upon the people of Eswatini.