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class="sgeegmk"><h1 class="saqvxdf hr9hvkd hb7nbxk seipclg b1ho1h07">Swaziland: Africa's last absolute monarchy</h1><span class="author-details s9wq4ao su3s3ra no-link t1qen3t4 m1km9ap7 wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07">Philipp Sandner / so</span><span class="time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en t14k9lqz r1wgtjne wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07"><span class="publication icns9en t14k9lqz r1wgtjne wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07"><time aria-hidden="true">07/14/2014</time><span class="sr-only s28j2rd">July 14, 2014</span></span></span><p class="teaser-text s1811lbz t1qen3t4 m1km9ap7 wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07">It is considered an act of terrorism to criticize King Mswati III. 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height="100" width="100"/><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_600.webp 78w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_601.webp 201w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_602.webp 379w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_603.webp 545w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_604.webp 767w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_605.webp 1199w" media="(min-width: 576px) and (max-width: 991px)" height="56.25" width="100"/><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_1000.webp 80w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_1001.webp 576w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_1002.webp 768w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_1003.webp 992w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_1004.webp 1200w" media="(min-width: 992px) " height="43.75" width="100"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_800.jpg 50w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_801.jpg 129w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_802.jpg 352w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_803.jpg 575w" media="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 575px)" height="100" width="100"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_600.jpg 78w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_601.jpg 201w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_602.jpg 379w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_603.jpg 545w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_604.jpg 767w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_605.jpg 1199w" media="(min-width: 576px) and (max-width: 991px)" height="56.25" width="100"/><source type="image/jpeg" srcset="https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_1000.jpg 80w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_1001.jpg 576w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_1002.jpg 768w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_1003.jpg 992w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_1004.jpg 1200w" media="(min-width: 992px) " height="43.75" width="100"/><img fetchpriority="high" src srcset="https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_600.jpg 78w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_601.jpg 201w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_602.jpg 379w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_603.jpg 545w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_604.jpg 767w, https://static.dw.com/image/17099304_605.jpg 1199w" width="100" height="56.25" title="Swasiland König Mswati III" alt="Swasiland König Mswati III"/></picture><figcaption class="c1oedowi t1b9cajp r1wgtjne wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07"><small class="copyright c19ed66t ihwmx5 iz19q57 icns9en t14k9lqz r1wgtjne wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07">Image: Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/GettyImages</small></figcaption></figure><span></span><div class="a1amioo0 cl16rh cl16rh rdrhdio hh5424a advertisement"><span class="label-top icns9en ixvat6c bmcvy6l wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07">Advertisement</span><div id="dw_m_article_top" class="gpt-slot"></div><div id="dw_t_article_top" class="gpt-slot"></div><div id="dw_d_article_top" class="gpt-slot"></div></div><div class="cc0m0op s1ebneao rich-text t1it8i9i r1wgtjne wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07"><p> The People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) is Swaziland's biggest opposition group. Yet in order to speak to its general secretary, Mlungisi Makhanya, you have dial a South African phone number. In Swaziland itself it is listed as a terrorist organization. Makhanya told DW of threats against his life and the unexplained deaths of party members. "Taking a stand against the king and fighting for the freedom of the Swazi people always come with the possibility of physical harm. But we remain committed and determined," he said. Makhanya believes, criminalizing PUDEMO is a ploy to delegitimize the voice of the Swazi people.</p><figure class="placeholder-image master_landscape right"><img data-format="MASTER_LANDSCAPE" data-id="17507785" data-url="https://static.dw.com/image/17507785_${formatId}.jpg" data-aspect-ratio="16/9" alt="Swasiland Menschenrechte Protest" style="padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; max-height: 0;"><figcaption class="img-caption">In April 2014, human rights campaigners took to the streets to protest the arrest of an editor and a human rights lawyer.<small class="copyright">Image: Jinty Jackson/AFP/Getty Images</small></figcaption></figure> <p> Swaziland's opposition continues to defy the ban on its activities. During Labour Day celebrations this year, PUDEMO President Mario Masuku and Maxwell Dlamini, the leader of the banned youth group Swaziland Youth Congress, were both put under arrest. Mark Beacon of the UK-based campaign group Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), explained that the two politicians had simply spoken on behalf of their own party. "Just making that political speech on Mayday, they have been arrested and charged with terrorism, a charge that could see them face 25 years in prison," he told DW. The two opposition leaders are being kept in custody until the start of their trial in September.</p> <p> In April 2014, PUDEMO General Secretary Makhanya was also arrested for wearing a party T-shirt, as a protest against the imprisonment of the journalist<a href="http://www.dw.de/rayner-doubts-on-swazilands-commitments-to-the-un-human-rights-council/a-17507567"> Bheki Makhubu and human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko</a>. Makhanya has been released on bail.</p><figure class="placeholder-image master_landscape left"><img data-format="MASTER_LANDSCAPE" data-id="17780457" data-url="https://static.dw.com/image/17780457_${formatId}.jpg" data-aspect-ratio="16/9" alt="Swasiland Bheki Makhubu Gericht" style="padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; max-height: 0;"><figcaption class="img-caption">Bheki Makhubu, editor of the political "The Nation", is under arrest for criticizing the judiciary.<small class="copyright">Image: Debra Khumalo/AFP/Getty Images</small></figcaption></figure> <p> <b>The strength of the monarch</b></p> <p> Swaziland is Africa's last absolute monarchy. King Mswati III has ruled the small country with its one million inhabitants since 1986. In 1973, Mswati's father Sobhuza II banned all political parties and declared a state of emergency, which is still in place today. The king governs the country's 55 administrative divisions, known as Tikhundla, through its chiefs.</p> <p> "A lot of the population in Swaziland are rural subsistent farming communities," said Christopher Vandome of the UK-based think tank Chatham House. "There is a sense of distrust for political parties and political change. There is a support of the king and also of the Tikhundla system, which was developed as a system for community involvement," Vandome told DW.</p> <p> <strong>More urgent problems</strong></p> <p> Despite Mswati's firm standing, Beacon believes that there is a growing support for the country's banned opposition parties. "People are calling for some kind of say over their lives," he says. Reforms are needed on various political fronts, as two-thirds of Swaziland's population lives on less than $1.25 (0.92 Euro) a day and unemployment stands at 40 percent. The country also has the world's highest rate of HIV, affecting more than one in four adults.</p> <p> Swaziland's lack of democracy is therefore not the kingdom's biggest problem, Vandome said. Yet he believes that the economic problems are directly connected to the political system. The monarch controls more or less everything and the needs of the people are ignored. Mswati appoints some of the members of parliament and every decision which parliament takes is subject to his approval. According to PUDEMO General Secretary Makhanya, the parliament is simply a farce to meet the demands of international community.</p> <figure class="placeholder-image master_landscape big"><img data-format="MASTER_LANDSCAPE" data-id="17780479" data-url="https://static.dw.com/image/17780479_${formatId}.jpg" data-aspect-ratio="16/9" alt="Swasiland" style="padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; max-height: 0;"><figcaption class="img-caption">Swaziland's rural community remains sceptical of political parties, says analyst Christopher Vandome.<small class="copyright">Image: picture-alliance/dpa</small></figcaption></figure><p> </p> <p> <b>Not an international priority</b></p> <p> For years, Swaziland has now been teetering on the brink of an economic breakdown. It has always managed to avert a total collapse, yet a US plan to bar Swaziland from the important AGOA trade agreement from 2015 would have a serious impact on the country's textile industry. The US hopes to sanction the government for its human rights abuses and its harsh anti-terrorism laws. Sugar is another commodity which could take a hit, as its Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union runs out at the end of this year. </p> <p> Vandome is uncertain whether the United States' political pressure will have the desired effect."The crisis and the human rights abuses are not as dramatic as in some other countries on the continent," says Vandome. Swaziland has no great mineral wealth and King Mswati III has maintained a good relationship with neighboring South Africa. Countries like Zimbabwe or the Democratic Republic of Congo are internationally of much more interest, said Vandome. They have vast mineral resources. </p> </div><footer class="s1jc41xr"><div class="feedback"><div class="sp605kw center"><div role="button" tabindex="0" id="feedback-button" data-focusdelay="600" class="hh5424a s1uzn49a s1y9040i m7i2pic e3w9kkf t1ax1i04 sx4rgdt ih9bob8 seipclg wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07">Send us your feedback<svg viewBox="0 0 20 20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="sv13z7j"><g fill-rule="evenodd"><path d="M4.25 5.25v12.5h14.5V5.25zm1.5 1.5h11.5v9.5H5.75z"></path><path d="M1.25 2.25V13.5h1.5V3.75H15.5v-1.5z"></path></g></svg></div></div><div aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1" class="feedback-sidebar flpo7xx"><div class="header"><span class="headline hr9hvkd h1pe9yza m1km9ap7 b1ho1h07">Your feedback</span><div role="button" tabindex="-1" title="Close form" class="close-feedback-btn b1yws3tm sx4rgdt ih9bob8 seipclg wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 30 30" class="syzo2pp"><path d="M6.219634 24l17.97-18m0 18l-17.97-18" stroke="black" stroke-width="1.5" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg></div></div><div class="feedback-elements"></div></div><div role="button" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true" class="backdrop f1xxvld b17djshc sx4rgdt ih9bob8 seipclg wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07"></div></div></footer><span></span><div class="a1amioo0 cl16rh cl16rh rdrhdio s18lqusp hh5424a advertisement no-box"><span class="label-top icns9en ixvat6c bmcvy6l wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07">Advertisement</span><div id="dw_m_article_content_bottom" class="gpt-slot"></div><div id="dw_t_article_content_bottom" class="gpt-slot"></div><div id="dw_d_article_content_bottom" class="gpt-slot"></div></div></div></article></div></section><section class="row"><div class="alternating-zone col odd-alternating"><section id="more-on-topic" data-tracking-name="section-more-on-topic" class="hh5424a s1vz34wi stfzu66"><a href="#post-more-on-topic" class="quick-item s1knotlb"><span class="hr9hvkd hb7nbxk seipclg b1ho1h07">Skip next section Explore more</span><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 20 20" class="s1ly0d8v"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="#002D5A" stroke-width="2"><path d="M4 9L4 16 11 16" transform="rotate(45 7.5 12.5)"></path><path stroke-linecap="square" d="M3.5 12.5L17.5 12.5M17.5 12.5L17.5 5.5M17.5 5L12 5"></path></g></svg></a><div class="c1800ln c1s1fclw content-block"><h2 class="sp7bjxx hr9hvkd h1pe9yza m1km9ap7 b1ho1h07">Explore more</h2><div class="s1b2clge"><div class="eba69yy e8u5vf5 edzqfrc e1h99tuk e1o6qn66 e6tzwz5 s1diylgz row"><div class="teaser-wrap col-12 col-md-6 col-lg-4"><div class="row s1b19e59 teaser"><div class="teaser-image-wrap col-12"><a href="/en/rayner-doubts-on-swazilands-commitments-to-the-un-human-rights-council/a-17507567" title="Rayner: "Doubts on Swaziland’s commitments to the UN Human Rights Council"" tabindex="-1" class="teaser-image b1ho1h07"><figure style="--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-xs:1.7777777777777777;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-sm:1.7777777777777777;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-md:1.7777777777777777;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-lg:1.7777777777777777;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-xl:1.7777777777777777;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-wide_xl:1.7777777777777777;" class="srnoiv7 s1a75hd4 lazy-load-container"><img src aria-hidden="true" alt="Swaziland rights Protest" class="lq-img"/><img src alt="Swaziland rights Protest" title="Swaziland rights Protest" class="hq-img"/></figure></a><div class="teaser-data-xs-sm"><h3 aria-hidden="false" class="title-xs-sm sf4wccd title"><a href="/en/rayner-doubts-on-swazilands-commitments-to-the-un-human-rights-council/a-17507567" tabindex="0" class="lap31d1 l1amv4u6 btl76l3 e1eo633p wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07">Rayner: "Doubts on Swaziland’s commitments to the UN Human Rights Council"</a></h3></div></div><div class="teaser-data-wrap col-12"><div class="teaser-data"><h3 aria-hidden="false" class="title-above-md sf4wccd title"><a href="/en/rayner-doubts-on-swazilands-commitments-to-the-un-human-rights-council/a-17507567" tabindex="0" class="lap31d1 l1amv4u6 btl76l3 e1eo633p wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07">Rayner: "Doubts on Swaziland’s commitments to the UN Human Rights Council"</a></h3><div class="d-none d-md-block s6kxfng teaser-description t1it8i9i r1wgtjne wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07"><a href="/en/rayner-doubts-on-swazilands-commitments-to-the-un-human-rights-council/a-17507567" tabindex="-1" class="l1j5qt2f b1ho1h07">Rights group Amnesty International on Wednesday (19.03.2014) called on authorities in Swaziland to free an editor and a human rights lawyer who were detained by the police. (19.03.2014)</a></div></div><div class="s16l2fqg teaser-footer-wrapper s1teu0c4"><span class="date-time icns9en t14k9lqz r1wgtjne wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07"><time aria-hidden="true">03/19/2014</time><span class="sr-only s28j2rd">March 19, 2014</span></span></div></div></div></div><div class="teaser-wrap col-12 col-md-6 col-lg-4"><div class="row s1b19e59 teaser"><div class="teaser-image-wrap col-12"><a href="/en/swaziland-vote-unlikely-to-usher-in-change/a-17100343" title="Swaziland vote unlikely to usher in change" tabindex="-1" class="teaser-image b1ho1h07"><figure style="--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-xs:1;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-sm:1.7777777777777777;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-md:1.7777777777777777;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-lg:1.7777777777777777;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-xl:1.7777777777777777;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-wide_xl:1.7777777777777777;" class="srnoiv7 s1a75hd4 lazy-load-container"><img src aria-hidden="true" alt="King Mswati III of Swaziland Photo Jon Hrusa +++(c) dpa - Report+++" class="lq-img"/><img src alt="King Mswati III of Swaziland Photo Jon Hrusa +++(c) dpa - Report+++" title="King Mswati III of Swaziland Photo Jon Hrusa +++(c) dpa - Report+++" class="hq-img"/></figure></a><div class="teaser-data-xs-sm"><h3 aria-hidden="false" class="title-xs-sm sf4wccd title"><a href="/en/swaziland-vote-unlikely-to-usher-in-change/a-17100343" tabindex="0" class="lap31d1 l1amv4u6 btl76l3 e1eo633p wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07">Swaziland vote unlikely to usher in change</a></h3></div></div><div class="teaser-data-wrap col-12"><div class="teaser-data"><h3 aria-hidden="false" class="title-above-md sf4wccd title"><a href="/en/swaziland-vote-unlikely-to-usher-in-change/a-17100343" tabindex="0" class="lap31d1 l1amv4u6 btl76l3 e1eo633p wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07">Swaziland vote unlikely to usher in change</a></h3><div class="d-none d-md-block s6kxfng teaser-description t1it8i9i r1wgtjne wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07"><a href="/en/swaziland-vote-unlikely-to-usher-in-change/a-17100343" tabindex="-1" class="l1j5qt2f b1ho1h07">King Mswati III rules Swaziland like a dictator, ruthlessly persecuting and imprisoning his opponents. Few believe Friday's elections will inch the country any closer to democratic governance. (19.09.2013)</a></div></div><div class="s16l2fqg teaser-footer-wrapper s1teu0c4"><span class="date-time icns9en t14k9lqz r1wgtjne wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07"><time aria-hidden="true">09/19/2013</time><span class="sr-only s28j2rd">September 19, 2013</span></span></div></div></div></div><div class="teaser-wrap col-12 col-md-6 col-lg-4"><div class="row s1b19e59 teaser"><div class="teaser-image-wrap col-12"><a href="/en/eu-africa-summit-to-debate-free-trade/a-17534406" title="EU-Africa summit to debate free trade" tabindex="-1" class="teaser-image b1ho1h07"><figure style="--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-xs:1;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-sm:1.7777777777777777;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-md:1.7777777777777777;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-lg:1.7777777777777777;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-xl:1.7777777777777777;--responsive-picture-aspect-ratio-wide_xl:1.7777777777777777;" class="srnoiv7 s1a75hd4 lazy-load-container"><img src aria-hidden="true" alt="Brüssel Blumenteppich" class="lq-img"/><img src alt="Brüssel Blumenteppich" title="Brüssel Blumenteppich" class="hq-img"/></figure></a><div class="teaser-data-xs-sm"><h3 aria-hidden="false" class="title-xs-sm sf4wccd title"><a href="/en/eu-africa-summit-to-debate-free-trade/a-17534406" tabindex="0" class="lap31d1 l1amv4u6 btl76l3 e1eo633p wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07">EU-Africa summit to debate free trade</a></h3></div></div><div class="teaser-data-wrap col-12"><div class="teaser-data"><h3 aria-hidden="false" class="title-above-md sf4wccd title"><a href="/en/eu-africa-summit-to-debate-free-trade/a-17534406" tabindex="0" class="lap31d1 l1amv4u6 btl76l3 e1eo633p wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07">EU-Africa summit to debate free trade</a></h3><div class="d-none d-md-block s6kxfng teaser-description t1it8i9i r1wgtjne wgx1hx2 b1ho1h07"><a href="/en/eu-africa-summit-to-debate-free-trade/a-17534406" tabindex="-1" class="l1j5qt2f b1ho1h07">EU and African leaders from 80 states are poised to meet in Brussels for a two-day summit as a deadline for tariff-free trade agreements draws near. Presidents Jacob Zuma and Robert Mugabe are staying away. 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language":"TURKISH","isLive":true,"canonicalUrl":"https://www.dw.com/tr/gündem/s-10201","namedUrl":"/tr/gündem/s-10201","localeLang":"tr_TR","__typename":"Navigation"},{"language":"UKRANIAN","isLive":true,"canonicalUrl":"https://www.dw.com/uk/головна/s-9874","namedUrl":"/uk/головна/s-9874","localeLang":"uk_UA","__typename":"Navigation"},{"language":"URDU","isLive":true,"canonicalUrl":"https://www.dw.com/ur/عنوانات/s-11933","namedUrl":"/ur/عنوانات/s-11933","localeLang":"ur_PK","__typename":"Navigation"}],"hasMinTextLength":true,"isLiveVideo":false,"teaser":"It is considered an act of terrorism to criticize King Mswati III. But as Swaziland's banned opposition continues to speak out, the international community turns a blind eye.","priority":"NEUTRAL","contentDate":"2014-07-14T14:21:58Z","localizedContentDateSr":"July 14, 2014","localizedFirstPublicationDate":"02/08/2025","localizedFirstPublicationDateSr":"February 8, 2025","contentDateMode":"LAST_PUBLICATION_DATE","personAssociations":[],"legacyAuthor":"Philipp Sandner / so","firstRegionArray":[],"isOpinion":false,"firstPersonArray":[],"genre":"NONE","opinionSeries":[],"text":"\u003cp>\n\tThe People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) is Swaziland's biggest opposition group. Yet in order to speak to its general secretary, Mlungisi Makhanya, you have dial a South African phone number. In Swaziland itself it is listed as a terrorist organization. Makhanya told DW of threats against his life and the unexplained deaths of party members. \"Taking a stand against the king and fighting for the freedom of the Swazi people always come with the possibility of physical harm. But we remain committed and determined,\" he said. Makhanya believes, criminalizing PUDEMO is a ploy to delegitimize the voice of the Swazi people.\u003c/p>\u003cfigure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape right\">\u003cimg data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"17507785\" data-url=\"https://static.dw.com/image/17507785_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16/9\" alt=\"Swasiland Menschenrechte Protest\" style=\"padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; max-height: 0;\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"img-caption\">In April 2014, human rights campaigners took to the streets to protest the arrest of an editor and a human rights lawyer.\u003csmall class=\"copyright\">Image: Jinty Jackson/AFP/Getty Images\u003c/small>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\n\tSwaziland's opposition continues to defy the ban on its activities. During Labour Day celebrations this year, PUDEMO President Mario Masuku and Maxwell Dlamini, the leader of the banned youth group Swaziland Youth Congress, were both put under arrest. Mark Beacon of the UK-based campaign group Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), explained that the two politicians had simply spoken on behalf of their own party. \"Just making that political speech on Mayday, they have been arrested and charged with terrorism, a charge that could see them face 25 years in prison,\" he told DW. The two opposition leaders are being kept in custody until the start of their trial in September.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\n\tIn April 2014, PUDEMO General Secretary Makhanya was also arrested for wearing a party T-shirt, as a protest against the imprisonment of the journalist\u003ca href=\"http://www.dw.de/rayner-doubts-on-swazilands-commitments-to-the-un-human-rights-council/a-17507567\"> Bheki Makhubu and human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko\u003c/a>. Makhanya has been released on bail.\u003c/p>\u003cfigure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape left\">\u003cimg data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"17780457\" data-url=\"https://static.dw.com/image/17780457_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16/9\" alt=\"Swasiland Bheki Makhubu Gericht\" style=\"padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; max-height: 0;\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"img-caption\">Bheki Makhubu, editor of the political \"The Nation\", is under arrest for criticizing the judiciary.\u003csmall class=\"copyright\">Image: Debra Khumalo/AFP/Getty Images\u003c/small>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\n\t\u003cb>The strength of the monarch\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\n\tSwaziland is Africa's last absolute monarchy. King Mswati III has ruled the small country with its one million inhabitants since 1986. In 1973, Mswati's father Sobhuza II banned all political parties and declared a state of emergency, which is still in place today. The king governs the country's 55 administrative divisions, known as Tikhundla, through its chiefs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\n\t\"A lot of the population in Swaziland are rural subsistent farming communities,\" said Christopher Vandome of the UK-based think tank Chatham House. \"There is a sense of distrust for political parties and political change. There is a support of the king and also of the Tikhundla system, which was developed as a system for community involvement,\" Vandome told DW.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\n\t\u003cstrong>More urgent problems\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\n\tDespite Mswati's firm standing, Beacon believes that there is a growing support for the country's banned opposition parties. \"People are calling for some kind of say over their lives,\" he says. Reforms are needed on various political fronts, as two-thirds of Swaziland's population lives on less than $1.25 (0.92 Euro) a day and unemployment stands at 40 percent. The country also has the world's highest rate of HIV, affecting more than one in four adults.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\n\tSwaziland's lack of democracy is therefore not the kingdom's biggest problem, Vandome said. Yet he believes that the economic problems are directly connected to the political system. The monarch controls more or less everything and the needs of the people are ignored. Mswati appoints some of the members of parliament and every decision which parliament takes is subject to his approval. According to PUDEMO General Secretary Makhanya, the parliament is simply a farce to meet the demands of international community.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\">\u003cimg data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"17780479\" data-url=\"https://static.dw.com/image/17780479_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16/9\" alt=\"Swasiland\" style=\"padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; max-height: 0;\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"img-caption\">Swaziland's rural community remains sceptical of political parties, says analyst Christopher Vandome.\u003csmall class=\"copyright\">Image: picture-alliance/dpa\u003c/small>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\u003cp>\n\t\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\n\t\u003cb>Not an international priority\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\n\tFor years, Swaziland has now been teetering on the brink of an economic breakdown. It has always managed to avert a total collapse, yet a US plan to bar Swaziland from the important AGOA trade agreement from 2015 would have a serious impact on the country's textile industry. The US hopes to sanction the government for its human rights abuses and its harsh anti-terrorism laws. Sugar is another commodity which could take a hit, as its Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union runs out at the end of this year. \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\n\tVandome is uncertain whether the United States' political pressure will have the desired effect.\"The crisis and the human rights abuses are not as dramatic as in some other countries on the continent,\" says Vandome. Swaziland has no great mineral wealth and King Mswati III has maintained a good relationship with neighboring South Africa. Countries like Zimbabwe or the Democratic Republic of Congo are internationally of much more interest, said Vandome. They have vast mineral resources. \u003c/p>\n ","contentLinks":[{"targetId":17099304,"isInText":false,"__typename":"ContentLink","targetType":"IMAGE","description":"","target":{"id":17099304,"__typename":"Image","name":"Swasiland König Mswati III","firstPersonArray":[],"opinionSeries":[],"contentDate":"2013-09-18T17:49:03Z","localizedContentDate":"18.09.2013","localizedContentDateSr":"18. September 2013","title":"Swasiland König Mswati III"}},{"targetId":17507567,"isInText":false,"__typename":"ContentLink","targetType":"ARTICLE","name":"Rayner: \"Doubts on Swaziland’s commitments to the UN Human Rights Council\"","description":"Rights group Amnesty International on Wednesday (19.03.2014) called on authorities in Swaziland to free an editor and a human rights lawyer who were detained by the police. 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Few believe Friday's elections will inch the country any closer to democratic governance.","isOpinion":false,"firstPersonArray":[],"genre":"NONE","opinionSeries":[],"contentDate":"2013-09-19T13:41:05Z","localizedContentDate":"09/19/2013","localizedContentDateSr":"September 19, 2013","priority":"NEUTRAL","isLiveVideo":false,"title":"Elections in Swaziland","mainContentImageLink":{"targetId":15737992,"additionalInformation":"King Mswati III of Swaziland Photo Jon Hrusa +++(c) dpa - Report+++","target":{"id":15737992,"staticUrl":"https://static.dw.com/image/15737992_${formatId}.jpg","__typename":"Image"},"__typename":"ContentLink"}}},{"targetId":17780457,"isInText":true,"__typename":"ContentLink","targetType":"IMAGE","description":"Bheki Makhubu, editor of the political \"The Nation\", is under arrest for criticizing the judiciary.","target":{"id":17780457,"__typename":"Image","name":"Swasiland Bheki Makhubu Gericht","firstPersonArray":[],"opinionSeries":[],"contentDate":"2014-07-11T16:32:04Z","localizedContentDate":"11.07.2014","localizedContentDateSr":"11. 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