This news report from the Associated Press news agency is presently being circulated by media organisations across the world. Once again the Swaziland ruling elite is being seen in the international community as autocratic and non-democratic. I see from the report that the ban is to be challenged in the Swazi High Court – don’t hold your breath for a successful outcome.
Swazi monarchy bans civil rights meeting
By THULANI MTWETHWA
MBABANE, Swaziland (AP) — Swaziland's government banned independent civil rights groups from meeting later this week, saying Tuesday that the gathering could be destabilizing for Africa's last absolute monarchy.
The Southern Africa Social Forum was scheduled to take place Thursday, the same day King Mswati III was expected to appoint a new prime minister following parliamentary elections held last month that were denounced as a parody of democracy.
Forum participants from across the region had been expected to discuss calls on Mswati to accept political parties and other democratic reforms.
"From the information available it is of the view of the Swaziland government that the hosting of the meeting in the country will not be in national interest, and will compromise peace, security and stability of the kingdom of Swaziland," Bhekie Dlamini, an official in the king's office, said in a statement.
If the groups disobey the order, "the government will be compelled to apply the law to its fullest extent," he said.
One of the organizers, Thembinkosi Dlamini, said the groups would challenge the ban in court.
"The social forum is an open space for reflective thinking, democratic debates of ideas, free exchange of experiences," Thembinkosi Dlamini said.
Jan Sithole, who is a trade union leader and government critic, said the ban "demonstrates government's unwillingness to conform to democratic principles."
Swaziland held elections Sept. 19 for a 55-seat National Assembly that is subservient to the king. Political parties have been outlawed in Swaziland since 1973, when Mswati's late father, King Sobhuza II, declared a state of emergency.
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