Eswatini opposition calls for King Mswati’s removal amid violent protests, military crackdown
The main opposition party in Eswatini, the People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), has expressed its support for the pro-democratic protests in that country.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets to call on the last remaining absolute monarch in Africa to fall.
The remarks by Pudemo come in the wake of violent protests in Eswatini, which began at least three weeks back.
The party held a virtual press briefing on Tuesday, amid violent protests that continue to sweep the country.
Party president Mlungisi Makhanya said there is an urgent need for political reforms.
“The past few days in particular serve to demonstrate a consistent call for fundamental political reforms in the country. The people of Swaziland are as clear as they’ve always been over the past decades, that the regime of the remaining last monarchy in Africa must fall.
“In terms of the Inkhundla Royal constitution of Swaziland, the government of the country constituted by and through the King, who holds absolute power in all arms of the state, he is the sole source of all government power and authority which are exercised through him and him alone. Pudemo demands the full immediate and transfer of power from the royal dynasty to the people of Swaziland as a whole.”
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The country has deployed soldiers to major cities and towns to crack down on protests, pro-democracy activists and witnesses said Tuesday.
Witnesses in the capital Manzini and Mbabane reported seeing soldiers patrolling the streets where protesters have been burning tyres and stoning cars, AFP reported.
On Monday night, reports emerged that King Mswati III had fled the country to Mozambique amid rising tensions.
However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku has since disputed this, stating that the King is still in the country working with the government.
