Following Violent anti-monarchy protests that erupted in June, over by discontent about living conditions and lack of political freedom in southern African kingdom – Eswatini, a ban on protests was issued on Friday, October 22nd, even as regional mediators seek to resolve the unrest in the country.
According to reports gathered, the government stopped issuing protest permits and restored internet links, two days after it had restricted the service.
Mediators from the 16-nation Southern African Development Community also met King Mswati III on Thursday and engaged with various political parties in a bid to stop the violence in the country.
Schools however, remained closed, and a strike by nurses entered its second day, with the nurses refusing to treat security officials – accusing them of shooting at staff tending to the injured and travelling to work night shifts.
The government meanwhile, has dismissed the reports of a clampdown, with government secretary, Sabelo Dlamini stating they have reports of injuries but no death, adding that security forces had been deployed to prevent damage to lives and property, and protect citizens from what he called, “unruly protestors and anarchists”.
Formerly known as Swaziland, the country, which is Africa’s last ‘absolute monarchy’ has been rocked by demonstrations against the monarch,” King Mswati III, ” who flaunts a luxury lifestyle in one of the world’s poorest countries.
At least 30 people have died since June in some of the worst unrest in Eswatini’s history.
More protests, are however, already planned for Monday.
