(3 minutes read)
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the Government of Eswatini to respect the rights of children and reopen schools
- A new wave of protests against Africa’s last absolute monarchy was suppressed
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the Government of Eswatini to respect the rights of children and reopen schools. A new wave of protests against Africa’s last absolute monarchy was suppressed.
Guterres expressed concerns about the ongoing developments in Eswatini, including the recent deployment of armed security forces at various schools and against excessive use of force in response to student demonstrations, and the indefinite closure of schools. He said that these developments would adversely affect the children and young people and are against human rights standards set.
He also condemned all acts of violence and urged all parties and the media to refrain from disinformation, hate speech and incitement. Pupils and students in the tiny nation have been protesting for a number of weeks, boycotting classes. They want to end the regime under King Mswati III. This provoked authorities to close the schools indefinitely. The country also shut down the internet for two hours to curb the pro-democracy marchers. The ruler King Mswati III has ruled Eswatini since 1986. It is alleged that he owns shares in all of the country’s telecoms and is being criticized for leading a lavish life and for stifling democratic norms in the country.
