Swazi leader bemoans ‘bad image’

Swaziland's King Mswati III. File photo: Siphiwe Sibeko

Swaziland's King Mswati III. File photo: Siphiwe Sibeko

Published Feb 20, 2015

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Mbabane - King Mswati began his annual State of the Kingdom Speech on Thursday by saying the main problem facing Swaziland was that people were manufacturing a bad image of the country.

“It should be deeply troubling to us that people with no knowledge of our culture portray it badly in foreign forums,” Mswati said at the opening of the second session of the 10th Parliament.

“It has denied us key benefits that would have allowed us sustainable development.

I call on every Swazi to act against these destructive acts,” Mswati instructed his subjects, without specifying the individuals he considered guilty.

On December 31 Swaziland was expelled from the African Growth and Opportunities Act (Agoa) which gives duty-free access to the US market because of the government’s refusal to amend laws curtailing labour and human rights.

Testimonies from Swazi labour groups and human rights crusaders contributed to the US decision.

Mswati made no mention of Agoa, but reported the closure of garment factories forced out of business by Agoa’s loss.

“Another concern was the closure of several firms in the textile sector.”

The king made no reference to the 2014 development that brought the most critical attention to the country, the conviction of an editor and a human rights lawyer for contempt of court after they wrote articles condemning the actions of the country’s judiciary.

Independent Foreign Service

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