MBABANE:King Mswati is likely to be affected by the recent Executive Order signed by newly inaugurated United States(US) President Donald Trump, halting foreign funding to eSwatini and other countries amid fears in this tiny Kingdom suggesting that,the decision might halt critical social services and trigger a political upheaval.
A political upheaval or unrest is normally triggered by Government failure to provide social services that are critical to the wellbeing of ordinary citizens,resulting to the widespread public dissatisfaction and/or lack of confidence in the Government.
It has been disclosed that, with other Government social services like health funded by foreign donors with links to the United States, in eSwatini, “taxpayers money is then used to sustain King Mswati’s lavish lifestyle and now, with the suspension of the US foreign funding, the Tinkhundla undemocratic regime’s incompetence might be exposed and possibly trigger a political unrest as citizens will demand services”.
The critical services that might be affected by the US President’s decision to suspend foreign funding include the free distribution of Antiretroviral(ARVs) whose supply “is fully dependent on the Global Fund financial support that is funded by the United States” among other major partners.
Thembinkhosi Dlamini,the Executive Director of the Coordinating Assembly of Non Governmental Organizations(CANGO) predicted when speaking to this Swaziland News last week that, the decision by newly inaugurated President of the United States(US) Donald Trump to suspend foreign donor funding will affect NGOs in eSwatini including HIV/AIDS programs.
“This means the decision will affect many NGOs in the country in including HIV/AIDS programs because the US contributes a large amount to the Global Fund”, said the CANGO Director.
But the decision by the United States will also affect the Eswatini Revenue Authority(ERS) tax base and/or reduce the amount of revenue collected as the billions in foreign funding was enabling ERS to collect more Value Added Tax(VAT), Pay as You Earn(PAYE) and Corporate Tax from local companies working with the Non Governmental Organizations(NGOs) in providing services, a highly regarded tax expert told this publication.
“It’s true that this decision will also affect the country’s tax base, when thousands lose their jobs or income the country’s fiscal is affected because those employees were paying tax including VAT.But apart from that, the NGOs were providing services and some of those services were provided through corporate companies that contribute to public coffers through tax”, said the tax expert.
But on Wednesday, a cloud of uncertainty was upon the Kingdom of eSwatini as news of job losses spread like wild fire and this, “comes after thousands of emaSwati working for the various NGOs received letters and/or notifications terminating their employment as the US President’s decision literally grounds the civil society in eSwatini”.
Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo who had earlier criticized and warned the US Government against interfering in the affairs of eSwatini amid calls for democratic reforms, subsequently rushed to release a very diplomatic or respectful press statement on Wednesday amid a cloud political uncertain.
“Government notes the public concerns following the abrupt freezing of foreign aid pending a review by the United States President Donald Trump’s administration. Whilst acknowledging the devastating impact that this Executive Order will have on developing Nations such as ours, it is equally important to acknowledge that the United States is within their sovereignty right to put “America First”. Therefore, as a sovereign Nation ourselves, we are obligated to respect other Nations’ decisions.However, Government would like to assure emaSwati that we consider this matter of urgent priority. Therefore, arrangements to engage the United States, through diplomatic channels, have already been made. As such, the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will be meeting with the United States Embassy in Eswatini this week for further appraisal on this matter”, reads the statement in part.
Eswatini is ruled by King Mswati as an absolute Monarch and, despite the country’s much reliance on the South African Customs Union(SACU) and foreign aid, extravagant spending and corruption is rife in the public administration, billions of public funds are allocated to sustain the lavish lifestyle of King Mswati and his royal family.
Recently, the Tinkhundla undemocratic regime used over R40million public funds to purchase new cars for Cabinet Ministers amid shortage of drugs in public hospitals, non-availability of working equipment in schools including public institutions of higher learning.
Amid the extravagant spending by the King and his loyalists in the public administration, the Tinkhundla undemocratic regime is also struggling to provide scholarships for deserving University students and the subsequent creation of sustainable jobs.
King Mswati(pic: Internet).