… AU Commission Chairperson praises Eswatini’s contribution to peace and stability across Africa
BY MBONGENI NDLELA
LUANDA, ANGOLA – His Majesty King Mswati III’s call for stronger African and international cooperation in preventing and resolving conflicts has received a positive response from the African Union Commission, further placing Eswatini’s peace diplomacy on the continental stage.
The King’s message was delivered by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini during a bilateral engagement with African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on the margins of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government in Luanda, Angola.
During the high-level engagement, the Prime Minister conveyed His Majesty’s message of solidarity and reiterated the Kingdom of Eswatini’s commitment to supporting African-led efforts aimed at preventing conflicts, resolving disputes peacefully and strengthening stability across the continent.
At the heart of Eswatini’s message was a call for closer cooperation between some of the continent and world’s most influential peace and security institutions.
Speaking on behalf of His Majesty, Dlamini called for enhanced coordination between the African Union, Southern African Development Community, United Nations and other relevant stakeholders.
The proposed approach seeks to ensure that institutions dealing with conflict prevention and resolution work together in a coordinated manner, avoiding fragmented responses while strengthening diplomacy and early intervention.
The Prime Minister made it clear that Eswatini remained ready to work closely with the African Union in advancing peaceful solutions to disputes and strengthening Africa’s collective capacity to deal with security challenges.
The message comes at a time when peace, security and political stability continue to occupy a central position on Africa’s development agenda.
Without peace and stability, governments face greater difficulty attracting investment, growing economies, creating jobs and delivering essential services to their people.
Eswatini’s intervention therefore positioned preventive diplomacy not simply as a security issue, but as an important foundation for sustainable development and prosperity across Africa.
Responding to the Prime Minister, Youssouf welcomed the message from His Majesty and expressed appreciation for Eswatini’s continued commitment to continental peace and security.
He paid tribute to King Mswati III for his leadership and commitment towards peace and stability in Africa, while also commending the Kingdom for the role it continues to play in promoting peaceful coexistence.
The AUC Chairperson further welcomed Eswatini’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the continental body.
Importantly, Youssouf assured the Prime Minister that the proposals submitted on behalf of His Majesty would receive due consideration.
He noted that the ideas were consistent with, and complementary to, the mandate and objectives of the African Union.
This effectively places Eswatini’s proposal for stronger coordination among the AU, SADC, UN and other stakeholders within the broader continental conversation on improving Africa’s mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution.
Youssouf also acknowledged SADC’s significant contribution towards regional development, peace, security and preventive diplomacy.
For Eswatini, the engagement adds to growing recognition of the Kingdom’s contribution towards peace and good governance on the continent.
Earlier this year, the African Union’s Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department honoured the Kingdom of Eswatini with an Effective Governance – Peace Division Award.
The recognition highlighted the country’s contribution to promoting governance, peace and stability.
Against that background, the latest engagement in Luanda further strengthens Eswatini’s profile as a country willing to participate constructively in continental diplomatic initiatives.
The Kingdom’s position is that disputes should, wherever possible, be addressed through dialogue, diplomacy and coordinated engagement before they escalate into prolonged conflicts.
The bilateral meeting also demonstrated how smaller African states can play an important role in shaping continental discussions through diplomacy and constructive proposals.
By advocating stronger cooperation among continental, regional and international organisations, His Majesty’s message emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in addressing Africa’s security challenges.
For the Kingdom, peace remains closely linked with development.
Stable countries are better positioned to attract investment, grow businesses, strengthen regional trade, create employment opportunities and improve the quality of life of their citizens.
The Luanda engagement therefore went beyond diplomatic courtesy.
It provided Eswatini with an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to an Africa where dialogue takes precedence over confrontation and where regional and international institutions work together before crises spiral beyond control.
With the AU Commission Chairperson welcoming the proposals and committing them to further consideration, Eswatini’s message has now been placed firmly before Africa’s premier continental institution.
The engagement also adds weight to the Kingdom’s growing diplomatic message: lasting African development will require lasting African peace.
(Courtesy Pic)
