Ezulwini-United States of America Ambassador to the Kingdom of Eswatini Jeanne Maloney has received and warmly welcomed the petition that was delivered by the thousands of Emaswati at the American Embassy in Ezulwini on Friday.

Shortly after receiving the petition, the American Embassy released an online statement confirming receiving the petition and expressed that they will continue engaging stakeholders to help ease the tension in the country.

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“Today, a group of peaceful demonstrators delivered a petition to the U.S. Embassy in Ezulwini listing their grievances. We are pleased the organizers followed the requirements of the Public Order Act and marchers remained calm and peaceful, even as they exercised their right to assemble and express their views. Ambassador Maloney accepted the petition on behalf of the U.S. Government, and we will review it with interest,” read the statement.

The Embassy also encouraged stakeholders, including the government, civil society, and business, to work together on developing, and carrying out a national dialogue. They also called on the Eswatini government to conduct full and transparent investigation into alleged human rights abuses, uphold the rule of law in holding perpetrators accountable, and empower an independent judiciary, which answers neither to the executive nor the legislative branch.