Swaziland is holding its first parliamentary election under a new constitution, amid growing protests calling for more democracy. Banned political parties, like the People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), have dismissed the poll as a sham.
Several political parties remain banned in the tiny African mountain kingdom, one of the world’s last absolute monarchies.
Some Swazis blame King Mswati III for plunging the country into poverty and failing to tackle an Aids epidemic.
The king has been in power since 1986. His government recently organized a lavish $12m (£6.6m) party to celebrate the king’s 40th birthday as well as the 40th anniversary of the country’s independence from Britain.
Correspondents say the king remains popular with many of his subjects, though opposition has been growing to his lavish lifestyle in a country where most people live in poverty.
OPINION
To spend $12m on a party in a country where most people live in poverty can be considered nothing other than corruption.
I am pleased to see that the international media have been exposing these ‘elections’ for what they are. They have no validity since all political parties are banned and the parliament as no real powers – the King selects the prime minister and cabinet members.
Now, that we know that Swaziland is not a democracy we must act to help the progressive movements in Swaziland to attain freedom.
For more on human rights in Swaziland visit my blog http://www.swazimedia.blogspot.com
Paul, thank you for continuing to focus on Swaziland.
The royal elite needs to be exposed for what it is – a royal elite that would sooner “eat cake” than bread, a royal elite which would prefer to buy BMWs rather than educate the orphan and vulnerable children (OVC), a royal elite that would use their narrow definition of culture to legitimize this fake “unique democracy”.
For those who wish to know more about opposition to the royal regime search the net for the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) of Swaziland.
Also see http://www.pudemo.blogspot.com
king Mswati rules by and through the support of the Swazi nation, dissent is fueled by jelousy and envy, we as a nation apreciate the efforts of His Majesty’s government over the years, thus we’re better than most African Exept SA and Botswana the rest are far behind Swaziland