Activists rally against Swazi regime
Union slams ‘double standards’
By James Tweedie, Central London
4 September 2008
Democracy campaigners rallied at the Swaziland High Commission in London yesterday in solidarity with those struggling against the tyranny of King Mswati III.
The vigil was organised by Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), which grew out of the Ant-Apartheid Movement, alongside the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDC). Members of the Unite union also attended the protest.
The SUDC, which is a coalition of all progressive forces including the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) and the trade union federations SFL and SFTU, organised protests yesterday and today against the extravagant September 6 ‘40/40’ celebrations in the southern African nation, which will celebrate both the 40th anniversary of independence from the British Empire and the 40th birthday of King Mswati III.
King Mswati’s father King Sobhuza II suspended the Swazi constitution in 1973 and imposed a state of emergency, which is still in force after 35 years.
Parliamentary elections are set to take place in Swaziland on September 19, but opposition political parties are barred from running. A one-day stay-away strike is being organised for election day.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions has accused the Commonwealth of ‘double standards’ by supporting the Swazi monarchy while attacking the Zimbabwean government as undemocratic.
ACTSA pointed out that an entourage of 95 people, including nine of the king’s wives, their children, maids and bodyguards, has chartered a flight to Dubai and Thailand to buy dresses for the celebrations.
Last week, over 1,000 demonstrators, including members of the Swaziland for Positive Living, marched to present a petition to the government of Swaziland asking where the money has come from.
ACTSA argues that the lack of democracy and accountability is preventing any form of development, equality or basic rights for Swaziland.
Director Tony Dykes said: ‘While the world focuses on Zimbabwe, Swaziland remains an island of dictatorship in a sea of democracies. Today’s demonstration is about giving the Swazi people the heart and encouragement in their struggle for democracy.’
Unite senior international officer Harriet Eisner added: ‘All the people want is democracy and the redistribution of wealth.
‘Swaziland is a country with one of the highest HIV prevalence rates and that’s entirely poverty related, a direct result of the lack of democracy in that country.’
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