By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Thulani Maseko, the assassinated eSwatini human rights lawyer might not get justice anytime soon after the “Justice for Thulani Maseko Campaign” was halted by the sudden change in the global geopolitical landscape.

Geopolitical landscape refers to the dynamic, complex system of political, economic, and geographical factors that shape international relations and influence power among countries and regions.

United States Senator Christopher Coons, registered a Parliament motion under the Joe Biden administration calling for democracy in eSwatini, justice for Thulani Maseko and of course, a comprehensive investigation into the lawyer’s death but, under the Donald Trump administration, “there have been no practical efforts to push for the long awaited independent investigation.

Maseko was the Chairperson of the pro-democracy MultiStakeholder Forum(MSF), a coalition of pro-democracy groups in the undemocratic Kingdom of eSwatini.

The human rights lawyer who was assassinated at the height of the political unrest in January 2023 and, shortly after King Mswati threatened those calling for democracy saying, his “mercenaries will deal with them”, was also the Secretary General of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO), the eSwatini main liberation movement calling for democratic reforms in the Southern African tiny Kingdom. 

Reached for comments by this Swaziland News, PUDEMO Deputy President Wandile Dluldlu accused the United States(US) of prioritizing profits over respect for democracy and human rights.

“America is not a democratic example to emulate, pursuit for profit rules their actions than respect for human rights and justice. They embrace, aide and abade despots like ours because it’s willing to bend its back to play puppy politics such as being a dumping site for US criminals,”said the PUDEMO Deputy President.

Efforts to reach US Embassy Spokesperson proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report and, eSwatini Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli was not immediately available for a comment.

But highly regarded human rights lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi who worked closely with the late lawyer Thulani Maseko, expressed serious concerns regarding the United States reluctance to pursue the investigation into the alleged politically motivated assassination.

“The failure of the U.S. Government to prioritize the issue of justice for Thulani Maseko is a deeply concerning matter, and it highlights a shift in American foreign policy. For decades, the United States has presented itself as the global leader and an example of democracy, with a foreign policy that, at least in its public rhetoric, championed human rights and the rule of law. However, under the Trump administration, we have seen this long-standing policy change almost overnight,” said the eSwatini human rights lawyer when responding to this Swaziland News on Sunday

Nhlabatsi said the US Trump administration has demonstrated a transactional and "America First" approach to international relations, which often means that human rights are sidelined in favor of other perceived national interests, such as trade and security among other interests.

“This shift has led to the United States becoming increasingly “cozy” with authoritarian leaders and dictators, including figures like King Mswati III, Yoweri Museveni, and Paul Kagame. In this new reality, the pursuit of justice for a human rights lawyer like Thulani Maseko is no longer a foreign policy priority. The focus on realpolitik and a disregard for international human rights frameworks means that a peaceful resolution and accountability for Maseko’s murder are sadly unlikely. For the Government responsible for this injustice, there is a sense of relief, as they face little to no pressure from a country that once claimed to be the world’s moral compass. This is a tragic development, not only for the people of eSwatini but for anyone who believes in the universal values of human rights and justice,” he said.

Eswatini is an absolute Monarchy, political parties are banned from participating in elections while human rights defenders, political activists and independent journalists are arrested, tortured, forced to exile or even killed merely for demanding democratic reforms.