Eswatini Poll Date Draws Near But No Democracy on The Horizon

Eswatini heads to the polls soon, with elections scheduled for September 29, 2023. But there's nothing remotely democratic in prospect. Andrew Firmin writes for IPS, that there will besome notable absentees at the next election. At least two members of parliament certainly won't be running again: Mthandeni Dube and Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza were convicted of terrorism and murder in June. Their real crime was to do what Swazi MPs aren't supposed to do: during protests for democracy that broke out in 2021, they dared call for political reform and a constitutional monarchy, Firmin writes.

The country remains ruled by King Mswati III, Africa's last absolute monarch, who presides over Eswatini with an iron fist. Mswati dissolved parliament on July 11, confident there's little chance of people who disagree with him winning representation.

The human rights landscape in Africa's last remaining absolute monarchy remains characterised by serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, the disappearance of people, and repression of pro-democracy activists.