Harare (New Ziana)-The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security on Thursday said it has deployed a technical fact-finding mission to the Kingdom of Eswatini from the 15th to the 22nd of July 2021.

The mission comes as a follow up to the SADC Organ Troika Ministerial Fact Finding Mission that was sent on the 4th of July 2021 to monitor disturbances in Eswatini.

In a statement, chairperson of the Organ Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said the main aim of the mission was to analyse the political situation in the country as well as to engage with all relevant stakeholders.

“Following the disturbances in the Kingdom of Eswatini, on 4th July 2021, in my capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security, I deployed a SADC Organ Troika Ministerial Fact Finding Mission to the Kingdom of Eswatini.

“As a follow-up, a Technical Fact-Finding Mission will be deployed to the Kingdom to consult extensively with stakeholders, from 15th to 22nd July 2021. The Mission will analyse the political and security situation in the country, with a view to support the people of Eswatini towards finding a durable solution,” he said.

Dr Masisi said SADC remained committed to restoration of peace.

“SADC continues to appeal for calm and restraint from all the stakeholders in the Kingdom of Eswatini, and encourages national dialogue in the efforts towards resolving the country’s political and socio-economic challenges,” he said.

Protests have rocked Eswatini since last month resulting in about 70 people being killed.

The demonstrators are demanding democratic reforms in the land-locked nation, including lifting bans on opposition parties that have been outlawed since 1973.

New Ziana