Southern African bishops call for dialogue to ensure peace in Eswatini

A delegation of bishops from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Southern Africa visiting the tiny nation of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), that had in June witnessed much violence, are calling on different sectors in society to dialogue and uphold the peace-loving nature of the local people.

"We make this proposal for a dialogue that is considered useful by all, on the basis of the words of Pope Francis, who asks all components of society to work together for dialogue, reconciliation and the peaceful settlement of different positions", the bishops said in an October 15 statement following their pastoral visit to Eswatini.  

The southern African nation of absolute monarchy had in June descended into civil unrest. The demonstrators were demanding democratic reforms in the land-locked country, including lifting the ban on opposition parties which is in force since 1973.

Thousands of protesters burned and looted business establishments in which King Mswati III and the royal family hold stakes. The government responded with the military and the police firing live rounds at protesters, killing at least 20 people and injuring 150 persons.

The Kingdom of Eswatini is known as a peaceful country, with a culture of courtesy, humanity and hospitality, said SACBC President Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Umtata. 

He recalled the hospitality with which the people of Eswatini welcomed refugees from Mozambique in the late 1980s and early 1990s, due to the civil war in that country. 

Peace is essential as Eswatini has faced numerous challenges, including being one of the countries most affected by the HIV pandemic and recently by the COVID-19 pandemic that forced many people into abject poverty. 

The people of Eswatini, true to their peace-loving nature, have peacefully gone through these troubled times, Bishop Sipuka said.

However, “the recent waves of unprecedented violence, resulting in deaths, injuries and widespread property destruction, seem to indicate a lack of patience that must be regained if this beautiful country does not want to fall into civil war and the suffering that goes with it", he said. 

"In view of this suffering and fearing that worse could happen, we as the Bishops' Conference of Southern Africa (of which Eswatini is part) decided to make a solidarity and pastoral visit to Eswatini and we are grateful to the government for welcoming us and talking to us about the situation in the country,” read the statement.

"We are encouraged that all with whom we have spoken, including the government, have expressed their willingness to engage in dialogue and negotiation. However, in view of these differences, such a dialogue does not seem to be able to take place or at least not to have the hoped-for effect if it is not agreed,” the bishops said. 

The Catholic prelates said they are aware of "a strong sense of alienation among the people" but "everyone is convinced of the gravity of the situation and the urgency of measures that will help to build a just and peaceful society."