Activists calling for political reforms in Eswatini have rejected a national dialogue that the government says will be held under the framework of traditional laws and structures. It is scheduled for next Monday, 23 October 2023.
'We look forward to the Sibaya national dialogue that has been called by His Majesty King Mswati III [...]," reads a statement by Eswatini government spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo.
Early this year, the government announced a 30 million emalangeni (R30-million) budget for the dialogue. Nxumalo's statement was vague on the modality of the dialogue. He also did not say if the dialogue would be inclusive.
It was King Mswati who pronounced, when dissolving parliament on 11 July 2023, that there would be a "Sibaya National dialogue" after the September elections.
Read more in the Daily Maverick: To contest or boycott? Eswatini election divides pro-democracy activists
According to the Eswatini constitution, Sibaya "constitutes the highest policy and advisory council of the nation".
"The Sibaya is the Swazi National Council constituted by Bantfwabenkhosi (Princes and Princesses), the tikhulu (Chiefs) of the realm and all adult citizens gathered at the official residence of the Ndlovukazi (Queen Mother) under the chairmanship of iNgwenyama (King) who may delegate this function to any official," it reads.
During Sibaya, emaSwati gather at a large cattle byre within the queen mother's residence at Ludzidzini Palace, about 20km south of the capital Mbabane. At Sibaya, the king...
