Two Swaziland pro-democracy MPs charged under terrorism law

Two Swaziland (eSwatini) members of parliament have been charged under a terrorism law after speaking out for democracy in the kingdom.

Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube appeared in court on Monday (26 July 2021) and were remanded in custody until 2 August. A bail hearing has been scheduled for Thursday.

They have been charged under the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2011.

Swaziland is not a democracy and is ruled by King Mswati III as an absolute monarch. Political parties are banned from taking part in elections and MPs are elected on ‘individual merit’. Individuals who advocate for democracy are routinely charged under the terrorism act.

The arrests came after weeks of protests in Swaziland. As many as 100 people might have been killed by security forces, according to an estimate by the Communist Party of Swaziland. The Swaziland Solidarity Network put the figure closer to 70.

The arrests have been condemned by prodemocracy organisations. The Peoples’ United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) called for an international boycott of Swazi goods on 6 August to deny King Mswati the revenue he needed to pay his security forces to “brutalise” the population.

The US embassy in Swaziland said in its statement, ‘The people of Eswatini have the constitutional right to be heard through, and represented by, their own freely chosen representatives in Parliament. 

‘The suppression of the right of individuals — including members of Parliament — to freely express their opinions is unacceptable.’

See also

Swaziland Army in ‘full charge’ after protests, many killed, Human Rights Watch reports

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/07/swaziland-army-in-full-charge-after.html

Swaziland absolute monarch appoints new Prime Minister – no election held

King Mswati III, the absolute monarch of Swaziland (eSwatini), has appointed Cleopas Dlamini as his new prime minister.

He made the announcement at a public gathering on Friday (16 July 2021).

Cleopas Dlamini replaces Ambrose Dlamini, who died of a COVID-19 (coronavirus) complications in December 2020. Themba Masuku had been acting prime minister since his death.

Cleopas Dlamini was formerly Chief Executive of the Public Service Pension Fund.

 

Cleopas Dlamini

Swaziland is not a democracy and political parties are banned from contesting elections. The King appoints the PM and senior government ministers as well as top judges and civil servants.

Groups calling for democracy are banned under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

Protests have been taking place across Swaziland in recent weeks calling for democratic reforms.

According to Amnesty International, the Swazi government of launched a ‘full-frontal assault’ on human rights in a crackdown on the protesters which left dozens killed by the security forces.

Protesters took to the streets again on Friday in Manzini, the second-largest city, before the king’s address.

Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General Sikelela Dlamini told Reuters news agency that police fired tear gas and used water cannon to disperse protesters in the city.

Activists said two people were wounded  and that police arrested 15 others.

See also

Swaziland Army in ‘full charge’ after protests, many killed, Human Rights Watch reports

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/07/swaziland-army-in-full-charge-after.html

‘Swaziland military kill at least 19 people during prodemocracy protests,’ campaigners report

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-military-kill-at-least-19.html

Swaziland Govt. imposes curfew as prodemocracy protests grow and reports say ‘King has fled kingdom’

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-govt-imposes-curfew-as.html

 

 

Swaziland Army fires at, stops, U.S. diplomatic vehicle against international rules during prodemocracy protests

The Swaziland (eSwatini) Army fired on a United States embassy diplomatic vehicle and later tried to search it at a road block.

It happened during the recent prodemocracy protests in which as many as 40 people were reported killed by security forces, it was revealed on Thursday (8 July 2021).

The US Embassy in Mbabane confirmed the incident after reports circulated on the Internet.

On Twitter it said, ‘We can confirm shots were fired at an embassy vehicle on July 1 and we informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the incident via diplomatic note—a standard form of communication btwn diplomatic missions & MFA. We are working closely with the MFA to address the incident.’

Previously the note from the US Embassy had circulated on the Internet. It read in part, ‘a soldier in the Eswatini Defence Forces shot three live rounds at a US diplomatic vehicle, with one round striking the vehicle.

‘Additionally, soldiers stopped the same vehicle at a second checkpoint, pointed weapons at the vehicle, and attempted to search the vehicle in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.’

The Swazi Government, which is not elected by the people but appointed by King Mswati III who rules as an absolute monarch, has made no public statement on the incident.

For weeks campaigners had been marching on local government offices to deliver petitions calling for democratic reform. Political parties cannot contest elections and groups advocating for democracy are outlawed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

In a separate statement released on Thursday, the US Embassy urged the King, the Government and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to ‘listen to the concerns of all stakeholders and to facilitate genuine dialogue to open the space for reform.’

See also

Swaziland Army in ‘full charge’ after protests, many killed, Human Rights Watch reports

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/07/swaziland-army-in-full-charge-after.html

‘Swaziland military kill at least 19 people during prodemocracy protests,’ campaigners report

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-military-kill-at-least-19.html

Swaziland Govt. imposes curfew as prodemocracy protests grow and reports say ‘King has fled kingdom’

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-govt-imposes-curfew-as.html

King Mswati reportedly flees Swaziland as prodemocracy protests intensify

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/king-mswati-reported-to-have-fled.html

Global outcry as journalists attacked by security forces during Swaziland democracy protests

Media freedom groups from across the globe have condemned King Mswati III, the absolute monarch in Swaziland (eSwatini), for the attacks made by his army on journalists during the present prodemocracy unrest in the kingdom.

One estimate says more than 40 people have been killed and 1,000 seriously injured by the military and police.

Twenty groups signed an open letter on Tuesday (6 July 2021) to the King urging him to guarantee the safety and security of journalists and media workers in Swaziland against ‘wanton attacks by security forces’.

The letter was organised by MISA (the Media Institute of Southern Africa). It read in part, ‘In the past week alone, two reporters were shot at by the police in eSwatini, with one of them sustaining serious injuries.’

Previously, New Frame, a South Africa-based website, had reported two of its journalists were then taken to Sigodvweni Police Station, ‘where they were interrogated and assaulted with punches and kicks. Plastic bags were placed over their heads to suffocate them. This act, sometimes described as “tubing”, is globally recognised as a form of torture. In South Africa, it was widely used by apartheid security forces and continues to be used against grassroots activists in police stations today.’ They were later released

The MISA letter added, ‘In the same vein, the government has responded by shutting down the internet, a development that poses a serious attack on freedom of expression and digital rights in your country.’

It added, ‘We are gravely concerned with the excessively inhumane and largely unreasonable responses by eSwatini security forces in dealing with media workers. The safety and security of journalists is of paramount importance to eSwatini, and it is imperative for your government to ensure that media workers are protected at all times.’

In particular the letter asked the King to guarantee and ensure the safety and security of journalists and media workers; ensure that the internet is not shut down or filtered; comply with the provisions of the eSwatini Constitution, particularly Section 24 which provides for freedom of expression and; adhere to the revised principles of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) Declaration on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.

Separately, the United Nations human rights office called for an independent inquiry into the allegations of the ‘disproportionate and unnecessary use of force, harassment and intimidation’ by security forces sent in to quell the protests.

Spokesperson Liz Throssell told reporters in Geneva said the allegations included ‘the use of live ammunition by police,’ and also that that some protesters had looted premises, set buildings and vehicles on fire, and had barricaded roads in some areas.

‘Although the situation is now reported to be calmer, we remain concerned at the potential for further unrest, Throssell said on Tuesday.

See also

Swaziland Army in ‘full charge’ after protests, many killed, Human Rights Watch reports

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/07/swaziland-army-in-full-charge-after.html

 

‘Swaziland military kill at least 19 people during prodemocracy protests,’ campaigners report

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-military-kill-at-least-19.html

 

Swaziland Govt. imposes curfew as prodemocracy protests grow and reports say ‘King has fled kingdom’

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-govt-imposes-curfew-as.html

 

King Mswati reportedly flees Swaziland as prodemocracy protests intensify

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/king-mswati-reported-to-have-fled.html

 

Swaziland democracy protests continue despite ban and police violence

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-democracy-protests-continue.html

 

Swaziland absolute monarch bans pro-democracy marches as protests against him mount

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/06/swaziland-absolute-monarch-bans-pro.html