2021–2023 Eswatini protests

2021 Eswatini anti-monarchy protests
Date	20 June 2021 (2021-06-20) – ongoing
Location	Across Eswatini
Caused by	Authoritarian rule and suppression of opposition Misuse of the country's funds by the monarchy
Goals	Democratic reforms
Methods	Peaceful demonstrations Blockades and tyre-burning Arson and looting
Parties
Eswatini opposition Government of Eswatini
Lead figures
Mswati III

A series of ongoing protests in Eswatini against the monarchy and for democraticisation began in late June 2021. Starting as a peaceful protest on 20 June, they escalated after 25 June into violence and looting over the weekend as the government took a hardline stance against the demonstrations and prohibited the delivery of petitions.

Background

Eswatini is one of the few countries that is an absolute monarchy, with Mswati III having been the king since 1986. Political parties have been banned since 1973 due to a "state of emergency" that has remained to this day, and are heavily persecuted under "anti-terrorism" laws. The prime minister is appointed by the monarch. Although protests are reportedly rare, there have been demonstrations in 2018 and 2019 over Mswati III's lavish lifestyle and alleged misuse of public funds.

Events

The first protests took place on 20 June when rural youth in Manzini Region went through a village shouting political slogans and calling for the right to a democratically chosen prime minister. They blocked roads and set tyres on fire. Police reacted to these demonstrations by deploying stun grenades and firing live bullets, leading to protestors retaliating by throwing rocks. The protests spread and escalated into violence on 25 June in Msunduza township, near Mbabane, as demonstrators "clashed" with police and stores were looted and burned. As thousands of people delivered petitions to tinkhundla authorities, who are democratically appointed in a "devolved" system, the government stopped them from being delivered, raising controversy from the national teachers union and leading to further unrest. On the night of 28-29 June, it was speculated that Mswati III had fled Eswatini amidst increasing disorder. The government denied these reports. However, it was reported that his private plane had been spotted departing the country. The Communist Party of eSwatini claimed that he had fled to South Africa, while the Swaziland Solidarity Network said that he was in Mozambique and had instructed security forces to "brutally suppress" the protests. On 29 June 2021, the demonstrations continued with police trying to repel the protesters with gunfire and tear gas with both the riot police and the army present on the streets. Police also set blockades across the capital and the government closed schools and bus stations. A curfew was put into place between 18:00 and 5:00 by the governmnet to try to rout the violence, and business and schools were made to close.

Reactions

According to the Times of Swaziland, a number of government figures encouraged violence and a hard crackdown through their statements. National Commissioner of Police William Dlamini stated that the protests were "war"; although he later clarified that he still wished for calm and only wished to show that the police were dedicated to restoring order, the editor of the Times blamed this statement, the prohibition of petitions, and a call from Housing and Urban Development Minister Prince Simelane to "fight fire with fire" for inflaming the situation.

The largest opposition party, the People's United Democratic Movement, announced a press conference to be held on 29 June.