For long pro-democracy voices in Swaziland, Africa’s last remaining absolute monarchy, have been silenced, sometimes through brutal means. Many times, ACTSA has decried appalling attacks on trade unionists and students, as well as the regular harassment and intimidation of opposition politicians. Without genuine democratic transformation, Swazis have been unable to enjoy basic human rights, even as the country’s public health system has all but collapsed and hunger has deepened. In this situation, it is unsurprising—it is expected event—that Swazis would seek to exercise their universally recognised right to peaceful protest. The Swazi authorities’ brutal response with live ammunition however, while characteristic of a callous dictatorship, is of grave concern to us. It has been reported that 40 people have lost their lives and many more have been treated for gunshot wounds.
We stand in solidarity with our friends and allies in Swaziland. We demand that the authorities and security forces cease the violent crackdown on demonstrators immediately and show a commitment to bringing perpetrators of crimes committed against demonstrators to justice. We join our voice to those of the people and civil society groups in Swaziland and throughout Southern Africa to call for the unbanning of political parties, which have been made illegal since 1973, and for far-reaching democratic reforms in the country. We also call on the SADCC to intervene to prevent further bloodshed.
ACTSA, since it was founded in 1994, has campaigned consistently for democratic freedoms in Swaziland, and we renew that demand today.