TIME FOR HONEST REFLECTION

Swaziland: Time for honest reflection on April 12 uprising 

As the dust settles and the pro-democracy groups lick their wounds, the people of Swaziland have many lessons to learn from the protests dubbed the “April 12 uprising”. Perhaps, most of all, it is the state that must look back on the events of the past 72 hours and reflect on what they mean for the sustainability – or otherwise – of the Tinkhundla royal regime. But the pro-democracy movement also has some soul-searching of its own to do. MANQOBA NXUMALO, writes in the Daily Maverick today (18 April 2011).

Without a doubt, the uprising in Swaziland fell far short of expectations – particularly given the nature of the uprisings in north Africa which, needless to say, have been more sustained. It is a contested battle as to who “won” between the pro-democracy movement in Swaziland and the government. While the government of Africa’s last absolute monarchy can breathe a sigh of relief that the protests failed to unseat King Mswati III, the pro-democracy groups can pat themselves on the back that they managed to force Swaziland on to the global agenda.

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