Deaths could be at least twice as many. Opposition and analysts believe the promise of dialogue is aimed at calming short-term unrest rather than responding to demands for reform.
Authorities in Eswatini, the former Swaziland, have promised to hold a “national dialogue” in an attempt to calm social unrest and protests against King Mswati III over the crackdown. According to authorities, clashes between police and protesters have resulted in 27 deaths, most in the past week.
Trade Minister Manqoba Khumalo told the English Guardian that the authorities need “to respond to the accusations,” but said this could only be done when the health situation improves. As recently as Wednesday, Khumalo had confirmed to AFP that “27 people have lost their lives,” most in the last week. “It was necessary to resort to force in some cases,” referring to robberies and arson, he clarified. However, the opposition claims that the death toll could be double.
The promise of dialogue has been met with skepticism by opposition leaders and analysts, fearing that violence will continue if political reforms are not implemented. However, experts doubt that real changes will take place and the government only wants to calm the protests in the short term. Social unrest in the country intensified last month when the authorities suspended the submission of petitions to the Royal Palace, one of the few ways in which the population could voice their grievances to the authorities.
The protests that followed were accompanied by arson, looting, and police repression. Witnesses contacted by the Guardian speak of indiscriminate firing with live ammunition. Internet access has also been limited, many public services are closed, others have been burned. Those who have taken to the streets the most are young people, motivated by the death of a university student in May, allegedly with police involvement. “We are fighting for democracy, freedom, jobs and for food. We are in a fight for liberation, not to steal,” a 26-year-old student, who requested anonymity, told the Guardian.
In a country with about 1.3 million inhabitants and where the average age is 21, the unemployment rate exceeds 40% and almost 60% of the population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank. This reality contrasts with the luxurious life of the numerous royal family.
In addition, the monarchy controls much of the country’s political life, where political parties are silenced by repressive laws. In light of developments, the UN expressed its concern on Tuesday, calling for an independent investigation into the “disproportionate and unnecessary use of force, harassment and intimidation” by security forces. Amnesty International also denounced the situation as a “direct attack on human rights.”
