- Advertisement -
Tensions are rising in the kingdom of Eswatini, like the enclave in the middle of South Africa that was once called Swaziland. For weeks, hundreds of young people have been protesting against this absolute monarchy. This week, several people were killed and dozens injured, according to activists. Calm has returned to the capital, but the army is ubiquitous, says a protester who emphasizes that these demonstrations are unparalleled.
Today, the capital is quiet, only a few shops are open for deliveries. And the army is everywhere, testifies this young protester of 23 years who wants to remain anonymous. “The army is everywhere and said we should stay at home. There is a curfew from six o’clock in the evening, and if the army finds you on the street, they will shoot you, no questions asked, they do not care. “
► Read also: Eswatini’s kingdom facing curfew, army deployed to suppress demonstrations
“My grandfather was shot three times when he came home from work,” she says. Fortunately, it was a rubber bullet. Can you imagine if it had been live ammunition? And a friend of mine died on Wednesday, June 30 in Ngwenya, he was shot. Many have died, except that the authorities are trying to hide it. Anything can happen, no one is immune. ”
The splendor of the royal family
This protester reminds us that the Eswatinis are mobilizing especially to condemn inequality between the country’s elite and the population, in the face of unemployment and poverty. “The king does what he wants, he spends extravagantly, while we have nothing. We go to college and after that we stay at home and do nothing, because there is no work. While the king’s children rise to high positions, when they are not even so educated. The whole royal family, they have what they want. And we are told to go and work in the fields. We can only give up one career. ”
► To read also: Eswatini: authorities suppress protest and condemn “foreign elements”
Monarchical power is therefore one of the most important targets for the demonstrators’ anger, the young woman explains. “There is really a lot of dissatisfaction and frustration towards the royal family, who spend without counting. Members buy cars and watches. Sometimes they say it’s a gift, like a helicopter once. But is that really the case or are they using government money? Because it is also another problem; there is no distinction between the treasury and the royal family. They take what they want when they want. “
Unmatched protests
This is the first time there have been demonstrations of such magnitude, continues the young woman, who lives in the capital. “This is the first time there are such demonstrations across the country, organized by ordinary citizens. In the past, they were organized by trade unions, by civil society, and they took place in a peaceful environment. This time it’s different, it was a lot of looting, looting. It shows how poor people are and lack access to the minimum service. Some protesters used this opportunity to plunder and take what they could. ”
“But this is really a premiere in the country,” the young woman insists. And besides, the police did not really know how to react, because they had never been confronted with this level of determination from the protesters. ”
.
