Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, has been experiencing pro-democracy protests for several weeks. A delegation of South African countries will try to restore calm.
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, has been experiencing several weeks of pro-democracy unrest, which the Kingdom answered by shooting the population.
On October 20, the Southern African Development Community, an inter-governmental organization seeking socio-economic cooperation and political security, will send a delegation to discuss security and political developments in the Kingdom. Eswatini, one of the 16 South African countries of the SADC, agreed to meet the delegation.
The SADC will send its executive secretary and secretariat senior officials. South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, as a chairperson of the SADC, will send senior officials of the government and three former ministers. Representatives of Botswana and Namibia are also part of the delegation.
During that same day, security forces wounded at least 80 people and one person died in protests, which started in June against police brutality after the death of a 25-year-old law student.
Two members of Parliament detained since July
October 20 is also the first day of the trial of two members of Parliament, detained since July and charged under the Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA), which limits the rights of freedom of expression, and infringement of COVID-19-related rules.
Public transportation was shut down last Sunday as the Swaziland Transport and Allied Workers Union asked for the release of the two MPs. Earlier this month, protestors wanted to deliver a petition to the U.S. embassy asking them to intervene following the detention of the two lawmakers.
On October 21, the Kingdom asked telecom operators to suspend Facebook and Messenger access. The country has repeatedly restricted Internet access in order to limit communications about the protests.
Some nurses are now reportedly considering not treating injured police officers because they shoot the population.
AFP reports that at least 29 people died this year in clashes between the police and protesters. Amnesty International says security forces have killed 80 people since May, and 1,000 people have been arrested, including school children or students who participate in demonstrations.
Last Saturday, King Mswati III decided to close schools indefinitely.
Eswatini is a small country surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique with no maritime access. King Mswati III is the last absolute monarch in Africa. He has been in power since 1986, from the age of 18, and has 15 wives, which are said to have a palace for each.
