For some time now it appeared Eswatini’s absolute monarchy, Africa’s last, had succeeded in overcoming the country’s pro-democracy protests. But the protests have flared up again. This article by Lunga Masuku is published by Reuters. Here is an excerpt:

Pro-democracy protests have flared up in Eswatini, months after authorities loyal to the southern African country’s absolute monarch quashed an earlier round of demonstrations using tear gas and water cannon.

Anger against King Mswati III has been building for years. Campaigners say the 53-year-old king has consistently ignored calls for reforms that would nudge Eswatini, which changed its name from Swaziland in 2018, in the direction of democracy.

The king denies accusations of autocratic rule and of using public money to fund a lavish lifestyle in the impoverished nation that borders South Africa. In July he called protests against his rule “satanic” and said they had taken the country backwards.

Read the full article here.