Southern African countries urged to act against rights abuses in Eswatini

By Hassan Isilow and Phathizwe Zulu

JOHANNESBURG /MBABANE, Eswatini (AA) – A civil society organization advocating for democratic governance and human rights urged the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Tuesday to take action against alleged rights abuses in Eswatini, Africa’s last absolute monarchy.

“The SADC is obligated to act, as individuals’ human rights are not being protected by the legal system in Eswatini. There is authoritarian rule, the government is not accountable, and state resources are misused for the preservation of an absolute monarchy,” Qhawekazi Khumalo, a spokesperson for the United Eswatini Diaspora, a non-governmental organization, said in a statement.

Khumalo said the regional body of 16 countries is supposed to promote democratic institutions, good governance and respect for human rights but is doing nowhere near enough about the situation in Eswatini, the tiny southern African country ruled by King Mswati III.

Violent protests were seen in parts of Eswatini in June and July as people, particularly the youth, poured out to demand democratic reforms, including lifting a ban on political parties and the protection of basic human rights.

Dozens of civilians were killed and hundreds wounded in clashes with security forces.

Protesters also called for the 53-year-old king, who has ruled Eswatini for 35 years, to give up power, saying the monarchy has failed to meet their needs and is only interested in protecting its own interests.

When contacted for comment on the allegations, Eswatini government spokesman Sabelo Dlamini declined to comment, referring Anadolu Agency to the SADC secretariat.

Percy Simelane, communications manager in the king's office, denied the allegations.

"Eswatini is a democracy where we, the people, nominate and vote our representation in parliament as opposed to situations where party leaders impose themselves on the electorate in other countries," he said.

"You don't run a country on the opinion of people on the street but on its Constitution," he said, denying any abuses.

“The Constitution puts it in no uncertain terms how it should be amended and should there be the need to do so,” he added.