Action urged on Swaziland and Mozambique

The first meeting of the newly-formed Botswana-South Africa joint commission on defence and security in Gaborone has appealed to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to pay special attention “to disturbing political developments” in Mozambique and Swaziland, PANA reported on Wednesday. A joint communique released at the end of the meeting said that SADC should assist the two member states in finding a lasting solution to tensions within their borders.

Mozambique recently experienced political violence when the main opposition RENAMO group demonstrated against 1999 general elections which it said were rigged. More than forty demonstrators and police died in the clashes. In neighbouring Swaziland the kingdom is facing a trade union movement-led political battle over lack of democracy and repressive labour legislation.

“We are hoping that SADC heads of states will meet over the disturbing political tensions in Mozambique and Swaziland and decide on a more appropriate action to take,” Botswana presidential affairs and public administration minister Thebe Mogami said at a press briefing during the meeting. Besides Lekota and Mogami, the meeting was attended by Botswana’s home affairs minister, Daniel Kwelagobe, and South African ministers of justice and constitutional development minister, Panuel Maduna, and safety and security, Steve Tshwete. The second meeting will take place in South Africa in 2001.