Muluzi to mediate in Swaziland
Former president BakiliMuluzi returns to Swaziland this Saturday to continue a process of engaging the government of Swaziland to undertake further democratisation efforts in the run up to the 2018 elections.
The Commonwealth observer mission to Swaziland, which Muluzi chaired, recommended the democratisation process after Swaziland’s September 2013 elections.
Secretary General of the Commonwealth appointed Muluzi as a special envoy to Swaziland.
In an interview on Wednesday, Muluzi said his visit to Swaziland from 5 to10 July 2015, is being undertaken in accordance with the terms of reference as special envoy to that country.
Muluzi said: “I will be accompanied by Nita Yawanarajah, adviser and head of the Good Offices Section and political officer for southern Africa and Koffi Sawyer from the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Muluzi said as per usual practice; he would hold discussions with a wide array of stakeholders, including King Mswati III, the government of Swaziland and civil society.
Muluzi said: “I will then be able to make appropriate recommendations to the government of Swaziland and to the Secretary-General, accordingly, on the way forward.”
In 2013, voters in Swaziland elected a new parliament, but political parties, banned in the country in 1970s, were not allowed to participate, making the king to retain absolute power.
The tradition in Swaziland, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, is that candidates are hand-picked by traditional chiefs loyal to King Mswati III.
