ANC NYTT STATEMENT ON THE ESWATINI PROTESTS

As the years progress one increasingly realises the importance of friendship and human solidarity. And if a 90-year-old may offer some unsolicited advice on this occasion, it would be that you, irrespective of your age, should place human solidarity, the concern for the other, at the centre of the values by which you live." Nelson Mandela (Lecture in Kliptown, Soweto, July 12, 2008)

The ANC NYTT has noted with concern the ongoing protests raging in eSwatini, the protests were initially sparked by the murder of eSwatini law student Thabani Nkomonye in May 2021. The lifeless body of Nkomonye was discovered in bushes in Nhlambeni, sparking a public from community members, activists and citizens of eSwatini who believe that the police were responsible for his murder. The Swaziland National Teachers association in conjunction with the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) embarked upon peaceful marches to the eSwatini parliament to demand justice for Nkomonye's killing and inquiry into the involvement of the police.

The protests have been ongoing since late May 2021, however the peaceful nature of the marches flared up into violent protests due to the issuing of a decree by the monarchy and eSwatini government banning the delivery of petition that call for implementation of democratic reforms. Reports emanating from eSwatini display a volatile situation of violent protests marked by the burning of trucks, road closures and the blocking of government facilities. The ANC NYTT is disturbed by the violent nature of the ongoing protest which has the potential of claiming more lives of innocent citizens due to clashes with the eSwatini police and security forces.

The ANCYL pledges solidarity with the dejected and oppressed masses of the eSwatini kingdom and calls upon democratic and revolutionary movements in the country to exercise the utmost level of caution to ensure the preservation of innocent lives. The stance by the eSwatini government which seeks to limit lobbying and activism for the implementation of democratic reforms must be condemned, the ANCYL calls upon the regional leadership of SADC to intervene in the situation in order to craft a workable and democratic solution between the eSwatini government and its citizens so as brings an end to the current impasse.

It is of utmost importance that the sovereignty of African nations must be respected and protected, however this stance should not be implemented at the expense of human lives or seek to justify turning a blind eye to deplorable socio-economic conditions that potentially deprive citizens of their basic human rights. Sovereignty must not be utilized as a smoke screen for governments to evade accountability or as a means to stifle debate and discussions with regards to democracy and guaranteeing of universal rights.

Consistent with its ideological convictions the ANC NYTT furthermore condemns all forms of police brutality and encourages the use of democratic tools of accountability to ensure that police protect the lives of citizen. The ANCYL reaffirms the ANC's 54th National Conference resolution on eSwatini which state that:

- The ANC should advocate for the release of political prisoners, including South Africans incarcerated in Swaziland, such as Amos Mbedzi.

- That the ANC explore mechanisms of strengthening its solidarity campaigns on Swaziland.

- That the ANC encourages the progressive Swazi political and civil organizations to lead the Swazi struggle.

- That the ANC supports the call by the people of Swaziland for the unbanning of political parties.

- That the ANC formalizes its party-to-party relations with PUDEMO.

- That the South African government should upscale its strategic influence of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

- ANC should find mechanisms to open up talks between the people of Swaziland and their government.

The ANCYL therefore calls upon the ANC to honor and implement its own resolutions in order to facilitate a process that will establish political stability in eSwatini. The ANCYL will continue to lobby progressive youth based organizations across the African to pledge solidarity with plight of the people of eSwatini. The organization will be embarking on a series of solidarity and awareness campaigns with regards to struggles waged by Africans in the pursuit of democracy, freedom and human rights.

The continued existence of politically volatile conditions in African countries is a major impediment to development and the youth are often the primary causalities of these encounters. The instability creates the displacement of hundreds and thousands of people seeking refuge across the world destroying family structures and robbing people of their economic livelihoods.

There is a dire need for tangible engagements that foster democracy and human rights, equally resolutions which seek to foster peace and stability must be implemented in eSwatini in particular and the African continent in general. Once again, the ANCYL pledges its support to the people of eSwatini and all citizens advocating for democratic reforms, unity, peace and stability! Amandla!!

Issued by the ANC National Youth Task Team, 30 July 2021