Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
21 November 2008
Mbabane — The political situation in one of the world's last absolute monarchies is driving the people to despair, the Catholic Church there says.
Last week, four organizations, including the opposition Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), were banned after they were branded as enemies of peace, stability, security and national progress.
On Monday, Attorney General Majahenkhaba Dlamini warned that journalists who report critically against the government would be viewed as supporting "terrorists" and arrested.
The Church is worried that the monarchy has increasingly marginalized the people, especially since 2005 when it adopted a constitution that ignored the wishes of "a significant portion of the Swazi people," according to Bishop Louis Ncamiso Ndlovu.
"We believe that being marginalized is what led some people to adopt crude and violent methods so as to force change in the country. This is really a cry for attention and recognition," the bishop said in a statement this week.
"The recent bombings are thus a manifestation of the failure by the ruling elite to engage in serious and honest dialogue with the citizenry." But he was quick to add that the church condemned all forms of violence.
He also questioned recent state appointments which indicated that the King was intent on maintaining the status quo. "Indeed such appointments were bestowed upon the relatives and friends of the ruling class."
The bishop faulted King Mswati's threat to deal harshly with dissent and accused him of nepotism in state appointments.
Bishop Ndlovu also criticized the enactment of an anti-terrorism law which is being used by the monarchy to crack down on opponents. The people should reject the new law.
"In the prevailing political and social climate, the Roman Catholic Church invites all concerned, especially on the side of government and the ruling elite, to real and serious dialogue," the bishop added.
The Kingdom of Swaziland, with over a million people, is ruled by King Mswati III, on the throne since 1986. His father, King Sobhuza II, who reigned for almost 61 years scrapped the constitution in 1973 and banned political parties.
King Mswati has continued the tradition, but banned opposition parties and trade unions have been vocal in their demands for greater democracy and limits on the king's power.
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