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The Commonwealth, Saturday, called for caution and restraint over the crisis in Eswatini, which reportedly forced the monarch, King Mswatti 111, to flee the landlocked Southern African country, a report the government has since dismissed.
Protests were said to have got to a head , May, in the Kingdom of Eswatini, also known as Swaziland, the last absolute monarchy in Africa, following the mysterious death of 25-year-old law student, Thabani Nkomonye, allegedly at the hands of the police. His remains were said to have been found on a field in Nhlambeni, about 10km outside Manzini. The protesters, it was gathered, are led by young activists and they are demanding reform in a country where political activism has been suppressed for years.
Speaking on the ongoing situation in the Kingdom of Eswatini, in a statement obtained by AUTO REPORT AFRICA, a Commonwealth spokesperson said: “The Commonwealth has been following the situation in Eswatini very closely, and is concerned about the regrettable violence that has led to the loss of life and the destruction of property.
“The Commonwealth calls for calm and restraint and urges all political and civic leaders to demonstrate tolerance, to promote unity, and give a chance to peaceful channels to address any grievances. The Secretary-General will continue to work with regional and international partners to encourage constructive dialogue and appropriate demarches founded on the rule of law as a means to foster sustainable peace.
“The Commonwealth reaffirms its abiding solidarity with Eswatini, a valued member of the Commonwealth family, and reiterates its commitment to working with the Government and relevant stakeholders towards promoting sustainable development, peace and democracy in the Kingdom of Eswatini.”
Amnesty International reports of continued violence in the Kingdom amidst crackdown on human rights and pro-democracy activists by the authorities. Dozens of people are said to have been killed with property destroyed as the crisis got more deadly.
Authorities in Eswatini have been using repressive laws, including the 1938 Sedition and Subversive Activities Act (SSA Act) and the 2008 Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA), to silence opposition with journalists, human rights defenders and political activists being jailed for speaking out against this repression of dissent for many years.
