Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Two Swaziland prodemocracy MPs charged under terrorism law

Two Swaziland (eSwatini) members of parliament have been charged under a terrorism law after speaking out for democracy in the kingdom.

 

Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube appeared in court on Monday (26 July 2021) and were remanded in custody until 2 August. A bail hearing has been scheduled for Thursday.

 

They have been charged under the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2011.

 

Swaziland is not a democracy and is ruled by King Mswati III as an absolute monarch. Political parties are banned from taking part in elections and MPs are elected on ‘individual merit’. Individuals who advocate for democracy are routinely charged under the terrorism act.

 

The arrests came after weeks of protests in Swaziland. As many as 100 people might have been killed by security forces, according to an estimate by the Communist Party of Swaziland. The Swaziland Solidarity Network put the figure closer to 70.

 

The arrests have been condemned by prodemocracy organisations. The Peoples’ United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) called for an international boycott of Swazi goods on 6 August to deny King Mswati the revenue he needed to pay his security forces to “brutalise” the population.

 

The US embassy in Swaziland said in its statement, ‘The people of Eswatini have the constitutional right to be heard through, and represented by, their own freely chosen representatives in Parliament. 

 

‘The suppression of the right of individuals — including members of Parliament — to freely express their opinions is unacceptable.’

 

See also

 

Swaziland Army in ‘full charge’ after protests, many killed, Human Rights Watch reports

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/07/swaziland-army-in-full-charge-after.html

Saturday, July 17, 2021

Swaziland absolute monarch appoints new Prime Minister – no election held

King Mswati III, the absolute monarch of Swaziland (eSwatini), has appointed Cleopas Dlamini as his new prime minister.

 

He made the announcement at a public gathering on Friday (16 July 2021).

 

Cleopas Dlamini replaces Ambrose Dlamini, who died of a COVID-19 (coronavirus) complications in December 2020. Themba Masuku had been acting prime minister since his death.

 

Cleopas Dlamini was formerly Chief Executive of the Public Service Pension Fund.

 

Cleopas Dlamini

Swaziland is not a democracy and political parties are banned from contesting elections. The King appoints the PM and senior government ministers as well as top judges and civil servants.

 

Groups calling for democracy are banned under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

 

Protests have been taking place across Swaziland in recent weeks calling for democratic reforms. 

 

According to Amnesty International, the Swazi government of launched a ‘full-frontal assault’ on human rights in a crackdown on the protesters which left dozens killed by the security forces.

 

Protesters took to the streets again on Friday in Manzini, the second-largest city, before the king’s address.

 

Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General Sikelela Dlamini told Reuters news agency that police fired tear gas and used water cannon to disperse protesters in the city.

 

Activists said two people were wounded  and that police arrested 15 others.

 

See also

 

Swaziland Army in ‘full charge’ after protests, many killed, Human Rights Watch reports

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/07/swaziland-army-in-full-charge-after.html

 

‘Swaziland military kill at least 19 people during prodemocracy protests,’ campaigners report

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-military-kill-at-least-19.html

 

Swaziland Govt. imposes curfew as prodemocracy protests grow and reports say ‘King has fled kingdom’

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-govt-imposes-curfew-as.html

 

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Swaziland Army fires at, stops, U.S. diplomatic vehicle against international rules during prodemocracy protests

The Swaziland (eSwatini) Army fired on a United States embassy diplomatic vehicle and later tried to search it at a road block.

 

It happened during the recent prodemocracy protests in which as many as 40 people were reported killed by security forces, it was revealed on Thursday (8 July 2021).

 

The US Embassy in Mbabane confirmed the incident after reports circulated on the Internet.

 

On Twitter it said,We can confirm shots were fired at an embassy vehicle on July 1 and we informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the incident via diplomatic note—a standard form of communication btwn diplomatic missions & MFA. We are working closely with the MFA to address the incident.’

 

Previously the note from the US Embassy had circulated on the Internet. It read in part, ‘a soldier in the Eswatini Defence Forces shot three live rounds at a US diplomatic vehicle, with one round striking the vehicle.

 

‘Additionally, soldiers stopped the same vehicle at a second checkpoint, pointed weapons at the vehicle, and attempted to search the vehicle in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.’

 

The Swazi Government, which is not elected by the people but appointed by King Mswati III who rules as an absolute monarch, has made no public statement on the incident.

 

For weeks campaigners had been marching on local government offices to deliver petitions calling for democratic reform. Political parties cannot contest elections and groups advocating for democracy are outlawed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

 

In a separate statement released on Thursday, the US Embassy urged the King, the Government and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to ‘listen to the concerns of all stakeholders and to facilitate genuine dialogue to open the space for reform.’

 

See also

 

Swaziland Army in ‘full charge’ after protests, many killed, Human Rights Watch reports

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/07/swaziland-army-in-full-charge-after.html

 

‘Swaziland military kill at least 19 people during prodemocracy protests,’ campaigners report

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-military-kill-at-least-19.html

 

Swaziland Govt. imposes curfew as prodemocracy protests grow and reports say ‘King has fled kingdom’

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-govt-imposes-curfew-as.html

 

King Mswati reportedly flees Swaziland as prodemocracy protests intensify

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/king-mswati-reported-to-have-fled.html

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Swaziland Army in ‘full charge’ after protests, many killed, Human Rights Watch reports

The Army in Swaziland (eSwatini) has taken full charge after mass prodemocracy protests left many people dead, according to a Human Rights Watch official.

 

Dewa Mavhinga, director for Southern Africa, added reports received by the organisation were that the Army were on a ‘killing spree’.

 

He said police in Swaziland had reported that the Army had refused to have joint operations so military deployment was not under civilian authority or oversight.

 

Mavhinga reported, ‘From a police source, the army is now fully in charge for real .. not even the police knows what the army is doing now.

 

‘They only call the police to collect bodies of people shot and killed.’

 

The Times of Swaziland reported on Sunday (4 July 2021) ‘Army declares We have taken over’ and added those who failed to obey instructions ‘will face full wraith of troops’.

 

The Times reported the first sight of the army being deployed on the streets was on the previous Tuesday after protesters turned violent. As well as killings there are reports of widespread lootings.

 

A group from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was in Swaziland on a fact-finding visit, but has yet to make a public statement.

 

Protests have been taking place across Swaziland for several weeks. People marched on local government offices delivering petitions asking for democratic reforms. King Mswati III rules Swaziland as an absolute monarch. He choses the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers. Political parties are banned from contesting election and groups advocating for democracy are outlawed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

 

See also

 

‘Swaziland military kill at least 19 people during prodemocracy protests,’ campaigners report

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-military-kill-at-least-19.html

 

Swaziland Govt. imposes curfew as prodemocracy protests grow and reports say ‘King has fled kingdom’

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-govt-imposes-curfew-as.html

 

King Mswati reportedly flees Swaziland as prodemocracy protests intensify

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/king-mswati-reported-to-have-fled.html

 

Swaziland democracy protests continue despite ban and police violence

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-democracy-protests-continue.html

 

Swaziland absolute monarch bans pro-democracy marches as protests against him mount

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-absolute-monarch-bans-pro.html