Citizens split on whether protesters should need government permission.

Key findings

• Three-quarters (76%) of Emaswati say citizens should always be allowed to enjoy the right to protest. o Urban residents (83%), degree holders (84%), and youth (82%) are especially likely to endorse this view.
• More than half (56%) of citizens say that even when protests turn violent, the police are not justified in using force to protect lives and property.
• Half (51%) of Emaswati believe that police and protesters are equally to blame when violence breaks out during public protests. Three in 10 (29%) blame only the police, while 17% point the finger at protesters.
• Half (51%) of respondents say citizens should be required to get permission from the government before organising protests, while 46% believe no such permission should be needed.
• Across 39 African countries surveyed between late 2021 and mid-2023, Eswatini ranks 13th in the share of citizens who say they participated in a demonstration or protest march at least once during the year before the survey, placing the country above average (12% vs. 9%).
• Only 37% of respondents think the police perform their duties as a neutral body, guided only by the law, while a majority (59%) believe they make decisions that favour certain people, parties, or interests.
• A large majority (76%) of Emaswati say they trust the police "just a little" or "not at all."

Asafika Mpako Asafika is the communications coordinator for Southern Africa

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Stephen Ndoma Stephen is the assistant project manager for Southern Africa