SSN statement on 2008 Swaziland Election and the unity demonstrated by the progressive organization in Swaziland.

04 February, 2008

SSN statement on 2008 Swaziland Election and the unity demonstrated by the progressive organization in Swaziland.

Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) welcomes the current unity demonstrated by all progressive forces in Swaziland particularly the formation of a new political front; we also welcome the resolution to boycott the upcoming Tinkhundla Election as it was resolved by PUDEMO 6th general congress. As the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) we wish to communicate with the world at large on action to be taken on Swaziland reasons why Swaziland need urgent attention from the international community as we state below:

1. 35 years of a perpetual state of an emergence since 1973.
2. King Mswati's education bill for his kids overseas is estimated at R50 million per year plus his endless spending well over R100 million per year while's
3. The autocratic regime will hold the selective Tinkhundla elections in 2008.
4. The royal family as a whole spends about R500 million a year, half of the national budget.

With all this the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) will be engaging in a number of programs in solidarity with the people of Swaziland for democratization of their country, our program will include the following:

Ø Anti Election campaign as led by The People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) of Swaziland.

Ø Re-launch of SSN provincial structures in all South African 9 provinces with a particular emphasis on Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Kwazulu Natal provinces influenced by their geographic location with Swaziland by March 30th, 2008.

Ø Briefing members of the diplomatic community based in South Africa on March 15 on our program and seeking their support.

Ø Staging pickets to the Swazi Embassy and all its Consulate office this will kick started by a border Blockade on 12 April, 2008 as this is the date where the people of Swaziland were humiliated by the royal regime by imposing a state of a Emergence. Of which it is the oldest in the world.

Ø To engage the African National Congress (ANC), SACP, COSATU, SANCO, NGO'S, Social movement and all democratic peace loving internationalist to support our call to put pressure to the King and his Tinkhundla Government.

Ø We will also pay a particular focus on SADC, AU, EU and UN Human rights Commission, particularly through civil society organs such as ECOSOC of the AU, etc

The people of Swaziland have, for far too long, been suffering from a system of royal oppression driven by the monarchy and its friends. They have been trying to knock at the door of the royal family for democracy in vain.

The world has watched in cold silence the terrible persecution of the ordinary people and pretended not to see or chose to ignore literally the cries of the Swazi people. As the progressive and democracy-loving people of South Africa, we have taken it upon ourselves to break that silence as we intensifier our program of action.

We take this opportunity to congratulate comrade Vincent Dlamini and Thulani Maseko for being entrusted to such a huge responsibility of pulling together all Swazi's under one common goal the democratization of Swaziland, we strongly trust this comrades as there have both demonstrated strong leadership qualities in deferent fields in relation to the liberation of Swaziland from the despotic King. We also appreciate the fact that NGO's and Civic organization are part of this progressive unity.

As SSN in South Africa we request our international allies in: Denmark, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, USA, etc to actively develop their on programs in particular to push for the Isolation of King Mswati and Royal family and to mobilize political and financial support for the success of the 2008 Anti Tinkhundla Election campaign.

Issued by the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) South Africa office