Bishops in southern Africa are calling for “restraint and a spirit of meaningful dialogue” in the Kingdom of Eswatini as the government cracks down on pro-democracy demonstrations.
Unrest began in the land-locked nation formerly known as Swaziland, after the death of a 25-year-old law student in April, allegedly at the hands of police. Student demonstrations grew into daily pro-democracy rallies throughout the nation in June.
Protestors are voicing opposition to the decades-long rule of King Mswati III, Africa’s last remaining absolute monarch. They are calling for democratic elections, an end to the ban on opposition parties, and the removal of the king from the parliamentary process. Demonstrators have barricaded roads in the capital, Mbabane, and other major cities, while residences and businesses associated with the royal family have been burned.
