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International News
Jun 30, 2021
JOHANNESBURG (AP) Pro-democracy activists in Eswatini, the southern African kingdom previously known as Swaziland, have vowed to intensify demonstrations against the monarchy until it makes democratic reforms and lifts its ban on all opposition parties.
The small mountain kingdom has been rocked by pro-democracy demonstrations over the past three days and videos of people burning tires and barricading streets in the largest city, Manzini, and the central town of Matsapha have been circulating on social media.
To quell the unrest the government on Tuesday ordered all businesses to close by 3:30 p.m. and a strict curfew to have all residents off the streets from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Schools were told to close immediately.
Mogomotsi Magome July 01, 2021 - 4:33 PM
JOHANNESBURG (AP) â The South African government has urged calm and restraint in Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, which has been engulfed by pro-democracy protests this week amid growing reports of state violence against demonstrators.
Protesters are demanding democratic reforms and accuse King Mswati III, who has ruled the tiny mountain kingdom for more than 30 years as an absolute monarch, of repression.
Rights groups accuse the royal family, including the king s 15 wives, of enjoying a lavish lifestyle while many of the countryâs 1.1 million people live in poverty.
Mbabane, the capital, and Mazini, the largest city, have reportedly been the most affected by the protests, which have seen demonstrators barricading roads and setting fires, often at businesses owned or linked to the royal family.
Pro-democracy protests continue to rock Eswatini kingdom
MOGOMOTSI MAGOME, Associated Press
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1of3FILE - In this Monday Sept. 3, 2012 file photo Eswatini s King, Mswati III, front, dances during a Reed Dance in Mbabane. Pro-democracy activists in the country previously known as Swaziland, have vowed Tuesday June 29, 2021, to intensify demonstrations against the monarchy until it makes democratic reforms and unbans all opposition parties.Themba Hadebe/APShow MoreShow Less
2of3FILE - In this Monday Sept. 3, 2012 file photo Eswatini s King, Mswati III, front, dances during a Reed Dance in Mbabane. Pro-democracy activists in the country previously known as Swaziland, have vowed to intensify demonstrations against the monarchy until it makes democratic reforms and unbans all opposition parties.Themba Hadebe/APShow MoreShow Less