30 June 2021
Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement SA Press statement
Abahlali baseMjondolo in Solidarity with the people of Swaziland
The people of Swaziland have been living under a brutal dictatorship for many years. The monarchy has ruled the country with iron fists. Journalists, trade unionists, students and other kinds of activists have been subject to severe repression including imprisonment, torture and murder. Many have had to flee the country.
Since he came into power in 1986, Mswati has been living a luxurious life with his 15 wives in a country where more than 70% people are living under the poverty line. The Mswati dictatorship has made the elites very, very rich while forcing the majority into deep poverty.
The country is going through serious difficulties as a direct result of the monarch who serves the interest of those who are connected politically and impoverishes and represses the people.
The absolute monarch has banned political parties since 1973. Many pro-democracy activists and organisations have also been silenced with repression. This has led to the monarchy being the only family that chooses the ministers and judges, and controls the parliament. This abuse of power by the monarchy has led to the king enriching himself and his family while making and keeping the people poor.
The youth and other pro-democracy formations and activists have taken to the streets in numbers and are calling for a democratic government to be elected by the people for the people of Swaziland. If they are successful this will not be the first time that an absolute monarchy will be destroyed and replaced by a democratic government. In France the Bastille, a political prison, was stormed on 14 July 1789 and by November the next year the long era of rule by monarchy was over.
As a mass democratic movement of the poor Abahlali baseMjondolo has always called for democracy in all African countries. We have been working with progressive organisations and activists in Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Zambia, Tunisia, Senegal, Niger, Kenya etc. We believe that it is only when the entire African continent is liberated from all kinds of tyranny and power is placed in the hands of the people that we are all going to be liberated.
Today we say that the pain of the people of Swaziland is our pain. For more than 15 years we have faced brutal attacks from the ANC and the state in so called democratic South Africa. We know what it is to experience repression. We affirm our undying solidarity with the people of Swaziland who are currently facing the repression of the absolute monarchy head on.
We are very concerned that the government in our country has not yet condemned the use of force against the protestors. It is outrageous that the army has been deployed against unarmed protesters to protect the power and business interests of the king, his family and their associates. It is outrageous that a country that calls itself a constitutional democracy has had diplomatic ties with a country that is ruled by a corrupt and repressive absolute monarch whose main interests are to enrich himself, his family and his close associates. It is outrageous that a country that does not elect its leaders and represses pro-democracy activists is supported by the hypocrites in the ANC led government.
We will continue to support all progressive forces that are calling for a democratically elected government in Swaziland. We are clear that the people of Swaziland deserve the right to live in freedom and to find their own way into the future. The comrades on the streets in Swaziland have our full solidarity and we are ready to support them in whatever way is deemed necessary.
It is time to end the dictatorship of Mswati III.
Contact:
Thapelo Mohapi 074 774 4219
Mqapheli Bonono 073 067 32 74
Nomsa Sizani 081 005 3686