Eswatini’s King Mswati Rejects SADC’s Dialogue Plea

King Mswati III of Eswatini has told the Southern African Development Community that he does not negotiate with terrorists. He made the comments at the just concluded SADC summit held last week in Angola. SADC has been urging the king to open national dialogue with the country’s pro-democracy groups. This, as campaigning for Eswatini’s August 23 parliamentary primary elections is underway. The People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) says that by refusing to peacefully engage with the opposition, King Mswati is instigating violence. Eswatini government spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo, tells VOA’s James Butty, the king has said that national dialogue will take place after the September 2023 parliamentary elections.