THOUSANDS PROTEST FOR SECOND DAY

Associated Press

28 July 2011

SOURCE

Swaziland sees thousands protest for second day

MBABANE, Swaziland — Thousands of people are participating in a second day of demonstrations in the small kingdom of Swaziland over the king's handling of an economic crisis.

More than 3,000 demonstrators gathered across the country today (28 July 2011), accompanied by armed police.

Protesters blame the absolute monarch for a shortage of essential medical supplies and a failing economy.

AIDS groups say the country faces a shortage of anti-retroviral drugs. More than a quarter of Swazis between the ages of 15 and 49 are believed to carry HIV.

Labor union negotiations also failed this week amid anger from members about the mismanagement of funds by King Mswati III. A court yesterday overturned a government application to stop protesters from demonstrating.

See also

SWAZI COURT BACKS PROTEST MARCHES

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2011/07/swazi-court-backs-protest-marches.html