Little news emerges from eSwatini, the tiny monarchy landlocked by South Africa and Mozambique, except lurid stories about the latest shenanigans of King Mswati III and his many wives. So it’s hardly surprising that few outsiders – and not even many insiders apparently – have been paying attention to quite encouraging recent political developments.
The changes became apparent in January last year when the US reinstated eSwatini’s AGOA benefits after the Swazi government made changes mainlythe far-reaching Suppression of Terrorism Act and the Public Order Act, which had restricted political freedoms. eSwatini also amended the The most critical reform of the Public Order Act is that organisers of marches and public protests now need only inform the local authority before proceeding. In the past, they had to first seek permission from authorities, which was usually denied. Several marches have been successfully held under the new legislation, proving that it works, diplomats say – although police still occasionally block marches probably because not all understand the new law.
There is still much improvement needed to liberate the political space, even in the Suppression of Terrorism and Public Order acts and much more beyond those – and no certainty that it will be done. Diplomats and others say the next target of reform should be the king’s 1973 proclamation that prohibits full multiparty democracy. Political parties may legally exist and five of them do, but politicians may in practice only contest elections as individuals, not as party representatives.
So it remains important for the government to confirm explicitly that the 1973 proclamation is gone. Diplomats are trying to persuade Mswati that multiparty democracy need not be at odds with eSwatini’s politics of individual merit. SALC’s report still characterises eSwatini as an “absolute” monarchy.
Source: Financial Digest (financialdigest.net)
issafrica how did you get passed all the wives?
issafrica Should it be like that of English Queen who colonised half of the world and they steal gold from Africa and recently Venezuelan gold?
issafrica Not your indaba😏🙄
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