Sunday, 5 September 2021

Plan to blockade Swaziland border as campaign for democracy intensifies

South African trade unionists plan to blockade the border with Swaziland (eSwatini) in support of a campaign for democracy in the kingdom.

COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions) intends to block three border posts on the South African side. It is in support of the Swaziland Global Week of Action that starts on Monday (6 September 2021), it said in a statement.

The blockade will take place on Wednesday.

The action is being taken in partnership with a number of Swaziland prodemocracy groups. Swaziland is ruled by King Mswati III as an absolute monarch. Political parties are banned from taking part in elections and groups advocating democracy are outlawed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.

Earlier this year there was extensive violence across the kingdom and according to some reports at least 70 people were killed by security forces during prodemocracy protests.

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

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