- The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has been accused of playing double standards, following its decision to sideline the new Madagascar administration. The Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) has charged following the SADC Troika decision yesterday.
The Youth Congress said there was no bad and undemocratic situation in the region that can be equalled to that of Swaziland, urging the regional bloc to also intervene in the Kingdom to restore constitutional rule.
"Since SADC was formed it has failed to solve the political quagmire faced by the Swazi people who in 1973 the then king Sobhuza II staged a coup de tat and repealed the constitution of the country and banned political parties and assumed the authority of being above the law. When his son took over the present king Mswati III took over he sucntilly put it clear that he will follow in his fathers foot steps hence he also continued with his fathers stance that of banning political parties," the statement by the youth congress charged.
The youth body also accused SADC of hoping from one scandal to another, and yet failing to solve the political, economic and social issues faced by its constituency. "It started when an absolute monarchy was given the task of leading the organ for peace and security, when there’s no peace, security, no human rights, political parties are banned," the statement said refering to Swaziland.
"Why was the king given the position of being head of the organ troika on peace and democracy when Swaziland is not democratic and there’ no peace? What is the difference to what has just happened to Madagascar to what happened in Swaziland in 1973? As one of the resolutions that emanates from the organ troika that the new leadership of Madagascar will not be recognized, why is the leadership of Swaziland is still recognized after so many years in power after ursaping constitutional rights of its citizen’s in1973?" SWAYOCO lashed in a statement which also asked SADC to suspend Swaziland from the regional body for the same reasons that Madagascar has been done with.
Meanwhile, the African Union has today also suspended Madagascar's membership from the body, for what it termed a clear civialian and military coup in the country.
The AU has also urged the new Malagasy administration to hold elections in six months, as per the constitution of the country.
On the other hand, SADC has vowed to press for more sanctions against Madagascar's new administration when it convenes on a date yet to be confirmed.
Madagascar's president Marc ravalomanana resigned this week under pressure from mounting anti-government protests which culminated into an army mutiny following the deaths of more than 100 people during clashes between protesters and security forces.
Mr Ravalomanana handed power to the military council which in turn transferred the power to the opposition leader Andry Rajoelina.
The 34-years old former DJ, Mr Rajoelina, will be inaugurated on Saturday, as Africa's newest and youngest president.
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