By: Vesla Centurion Kals
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is urgently calling for a national dialogue in the Kingdom of eSwatini, following the assassination of political activist Advocate Thulani Maseko.
At an extraordinary meeting held in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, the regional bloc acknowledged the growing political tensions in the small kingdom and urged all stakeholders to come together and engage in meaningful dialogue to ensure a peaceful resolution to the current crisis.
Namibian President Hage Geingob expressed grave concern over the escalating tensions in eSwatini, reiterating his call for authorities in the kingdom to investigate Maseko’s assassination.
In his opening speech during the SADC Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit, Geingob highlighted the tragedy, noting that it casts a dark shadow over the region’s efforts to peacefully resolve disputes and address political issues:
“The Southern African Development Community notes with deep concern, reports coming out of eSwatini about the killing of Mr Thulani Rudolf Maseko, a leading human rights lawyer and political activist in the Kingdom of eSswatini,” said Geingob, who chairs the politics, defence and security committee of the SADC.
“SADC also calls upon the government of the Kingdom of eSwatini to ensure that the killing of Mr. Maseko is swiftly, transparently and comprehensively investigated, and that any or all persons suspected of committing this heinous crime are brought to justice,” said Geingob.
Many in eSwatini are accusing the government of being behind the killing of prominent human rights lawyer and activist, Thulani Maseko that had been a vocal advocate for the rights of the people, fighting against state repression and the banning of opposition parties.
In November 2021, Maseko had taken the lead of a coalition of political, civil rights, and religious organizations in an effort to foster dialogue with the king and seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Maseko was also a columnist who had a pending court battle with King Mswati III over the monarch’s unilateral decision to rename the country eSwatini in April 2018, during its golden jubilee.
In 2014, he was sentenced to two years in prison, alongside the Editor of a local publication, The Nation, Bheki Makhubu, for contempt of court over articles that were critical of the government and judiciary.
Despite the efforts of activists like Maseko, eSwatini remains an absolute monarchy where extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and the repression of pro-democracy activists are still commonplace.
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