In an apparent blow for liberty and democracy, The Leaders Council understands that King Mswati III of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is planning to fly to the United Kingdom to attend the coronation of King Charles III.
This is despite the ongoing troubles in the world’s last remaining absolute monarchy, where according to Amnesty International, ‘dozens of people have been killed and many others tortured, detained or abducted.’
Pro-democracy protests started in Eswatini in June 2021 after the mysterious death of 25-year-old law student, Thabani Nkomonye, who is widely believed to have died at the hands of the police. Then, in late July, two Swazi members of parliament, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube were arrested under the ’Suppression of Terrorism Act’. These arrests were described by Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa, as a ‘travesty of justice.’
Last year, I interviewed Eswatini MP Eric ‘Gawuzela’ Simelane who is currently living in exile following these arrests. He told me he fears being arrested or murdered should he set foot in his home country.
Since then, Simelane’s son has been arrested in Eswatini without explanation and, according to Simelane, the authorities are applying pressure to anyone connected with him.
Speaking to me last week, Simelane said it would be travesty if King Mswati III were to attend King Charles’ coronation.
Mswati's attendance would provide the autocrat with fantastic PR and would be seen by many as an implicit endorsement of his disastrous management. On the Queen's passing, the kingdom of Eswatini put out a statement saying, 'We firmly believe that our longstanding cordial relations will continue to be enhanced and strengthened even in years to come.'
A Le Monde article in October 2018 claimed that the country only has twelve public ambulances, for a population of 1.3 million; that most elementary schools are no longer able to provide food; and that pharmacies are disappearing.
The article also says that a circle of 15,000 businessmen take most of the country's wealth, while King Mswati III receives eight percent of the national budget for ‘official expenses’, and the armed forces and the police force receive five percent each.
The Leaders Council will be writing to MPs in the British parliament to urge them to consider Simelane’s case.
My full interview with Simelane can be listened to here:
Photo by Ferdinand Stöhr on Unsplash
