The Eswatini government, led by Africa’s last absolutist monarch, announced a curfew on Tuesday to quell violent pro-democracy demonstrations that have rocked the tiny kingdom since mid-June and have intensified in recent days.
A day after several sources, including South Africa’s public broadcaster SABC, echoed reports King Mswati III fled his country amid the growing violence, the government issued a statement on Tuesday denying the claims and assuring the king was still in the country.
“Following the false media reports circulating, I would like to take this opportunity to assure emaSwati and the international community that His Majesty King Mswati III is in the country and continues to lead in working with Government [sic] to advance the Kingdom’s goals,” said Prime Minister Themba Masuku.
Further details about the whereabouts of the king were not provided.
Government Statement: Government assures the Nation that His Majesty King Mswati III is in the country & continues to lead in working with Government to advance the Kingdom’s goals. pic.twitter.com/P3iFjQ4fvz
— Eswatini Government (@EswatiniGovern1) June 29, 2021
A strict dusk-till-dawn curfew will be in place from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting on Tuesday, according to the Washington Post. In addition, all schools are to close while businesses must close by 3:30 p.m.
Protests started on June 19, when rural demonstrators gathered to demand democratic reforms, according to Agence France Presse. The 500 youth demonstrators called for rescindment of the 1973 ban of political parties and the right to vote for the prime minister. The demonstrators were met with stun grenades and live bullets from police, one reporter observed.
On Friday, despite a government ban on protests, violent demonstrations broke out in Msunduza township near the capital, which resulted in reports of looting and fires.
Protests have escalated each day, with the spokesman for the pro-democracy Swaziland Solidarity Network telling the Guardian that Monday “was the worst night ever.” Several witnesses in the capital told the news outlet the government deployed the army and riot police to quell the riots. Videos circulating over social media show widespread looting and burning of trucks and buildings in major urban areas.
One of the organizers of the nationwide protests, the Economic Freedom Fighters of Swaziland, said in a statement the violence started when the government responded to peaceful demonstrations with force, resulting in the death of a student.
The prime minister claimed the protests have been “hijacked by criminal elements” while dismissing the protesters as “an unruly crowd.”
EFF Swaziland @EFFSwazi Statement on the ongoing revolution in Swaziland. pic.twitter.com/HSqbjNJweX
— Economic Freedom Fighters of Swaziland (@EFFSwazi) June 29, 2021
Eswatini, previously known as Swaziland until King Mswati renamed it in 2018, has a population of just over 1.1 million, according to the CIA World Factbook.
The landlocked former British protectorate suffers from high unemployment and severe poverty, a factor in the discontent against King Mswati III, who is known for his luxurious lifestyle. His net worth was estimated at $200 million by Forbes in 2008.
The U.S. State Department says King Mswati is responsible for human rights violations.
