· There are reports that pro-democracy protests have rocked eSwatini with a curfew imposed across the country.
· The South Africa Broadcasting Corporation and other media outlets published unconfirmed reports that King Mswati III had fled Swaziland.
There are reports that pro-democracy protests have rocked eSwatini with a curfew imposed across the country. The South Africa Broadcasting Corporation and other media outlets published unconfirmed reports that King Mswati III had fled Swaziland.
The curfew between the hours of 6 pm and 5 am was announced by the Swazi Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku on Tuesday (29 June 2021). The announcement said that all offices must be closed by 3:30 pm and that essential worker will be required to produce a permit when travelling at night. Despite the ban on protest marches last week, the protests continued unabated with reports of violence between police and protestors.
Swaziland is ruled by King Mswati as an absolute monarch. Political parties are banned. Prime Minister and government cabinet ministers, as well as top judges and civil servants, are chosen by the King. Groups advocating for democracy are outlawed under the Suppression of Terrorism Act.
