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Southern Africa: Turning a Blind Eye to Eswatini
ISS, 2 July 2021
The insurgency in northern Mozambique should have taught Southern Africa the obvious lesson that it's safer, cheaper and more effective to resolve conflicts before they explode.… Read more »
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Eswatini: 'Swaziland Military Kill At Least 19 People During Prodemocracy Protests,' Campaigners Report
Swazi Media, 30 June 2021
As many as 19 people have reportedly been killed during the prodemocracy protests in Swaziland (eSwatini). Read more »
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Eswatini: SALC Statement Condemning the Human Rights Violations in Eswatini in Light of Recent Protests
SALC, 30 June 2021
SALC is concerned by the recent developments in Eswatini. The Kingdom of Eswatini has seen a wave of protests over the past month. Read more »
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Eswatini: King Mswati Reportedly Flees Swaziland As Prodemocracy Protests Intensify
Swazi Media, 29 June 2021
King Mswati III, the absolute monarch of Swaziland (eSwatini), fled the kingdom after prodemocracy campaigners defied his order to stop protest marches, according to unconfirmed… Read more »
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Eswatini: Govt Imposes Curfew As Pro-Democracy Protests Grow
Swazi Media, 29 June 2021
A curfew has been imposed across Swaziland (eSwatini) as pro-democracy protests intensify and unconfirmed reports say absolute monarch King Mswati III has fled the kingdom. Read more »
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Eswatini: Eswatini Denies Reports of King Mswati III Leaving the Country
Nation, 29 June 2021
The eSwatini government on Tuesday dismissed reports that King Mswati III had fled the country following the violent, pro-democracy protests that escalated on Monday. Read more »
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Eswatini: U.S. Embassy Closes As Pro-Democracy Unrest Spreads Across Kingdom
Swazi Media, 29 June 2021
The United States Embassy in Swaziland (eSwatini) is to stay closed on Wednesday (30 June 2021) in reaction to the civil unrest sweeping the kingdom and a curfew imposed by the… Read more »
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Eswatini: Protests Continue Despite Ban and Police Violence
Swazi Media, 28 June 2021
Pro-democracy protests continued across Swaziland (eSwatini) despite a ban on marching imposed by the kingdom's absolute monarch. Read more »
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Eswatini: King Bans Pro-Democracy Marches As Protests Against Him Mount
Swazi Media, 25 June 2021
King Mwati III, the absolute monarch in Swaziland (eSwatini), has banned public pro-democracy demonstrations in the kingdom. Read more »
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Eswatini: Five in Court After Swaziland Police-Provoked Protests Turn Violent
Swazi Media, 25 May 2021
Five students appeared in court in Swaziland (eSwatini) following anti-police protests that turned violent. Read more »
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Eswatini: Swaziland Police Shoot Student in Eye During Protest Unrest
Swazi Media, 18 May 2021
A student was reportedly shot in the eye at point blank range by police in Swaziland during a protest. Read more »
Eswatini Pro-Democracy Protesters Shot, Killed
As weeks-long protests spread throughout eSwatini, acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku announced a dusk to dawn curfew across the kingdom. Although a number of media houses, led by South Africa's public broadcaster, the SABC, reported that King Mswati III had left the country, the government denied it.
Demonstrations against the authoritarian monarchy have escalated since the shooting in the eye of a student in mid-May. Swazi Media Commentary reported that marches took place in at least 10 locations, mainly in rural areas despite a ban placed by the king on pro-democracy demonstrations.
The government-supporting eSwatini Observer reported that protesters tried to invade acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku's residence. It also said the country's police chief blamed a member of Parliament for "chaos" at another protest.
Swaziland News reported that the MP was one of two pro-democracy legislators whose arrest has been ordered by the king. However, a local human rights lawyer said the police allegedly refused to carry out the arrest, and that the king had to order the army to do so.
Latest reports indicate that as many as 19 people have reportedly been shot dead, allegedly by the military during the pro-democracy protests in Swaziland (eSwatini). The Communist Party of Swaziland has said that five people have been certified dead at the Mbabane Government Hospital in the Swazi capital. It added that more than 50 people were admitted to the hospital with gunshot wounds.
