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Some political parties in Eswatini have allowed their members to individually campaign and stand for positions in a strategy to canvass for democratic reforms.
The landlocked country and Africa’s only absolute monarchy held its secondary elections, described by the African Union (AU) as peaceful, on September 29.
Sive Siyinqaba and Swaziland Liberation Movement (Swalimo), a party formed by former Member of Parliament, Mduduzi “Magawugawu” Simelane, had agreed to allow their members to participate in the elections to occupy positions as Members of Parliament, Indvuna Yenkhundla (Constituency Headsman) and 336 Bucopho (Community Headsman).
Sive Siyinqaba has claimed that 70% of its members won seats. However, the oldest and biggest political party in the kingdom, the People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), labelled the elections a “farce” and did not encourage its members to participate.
The elections were conducted against the backdrop of pro-democracy protests in July 2021, which have since shone the spotlight on the monarch, King Mswati III, to sit around the table with all organisations to chart a way forward for the country – towards a democratic system.
The Southern African Development Community proposed a dialogue, but King Mswati III prefers his isibaya (byre) meeting which happens occasionally and where issues are supposed to be raised.
The violent protests erupted after three members of parliament - Bacede Mabuza, Mthandeni Dube and Simelane – publicly advocated for democratic reforms and protested the king’s appointment of then-acting prime minister, Themba Masuku, whom they said should have been elected by voters.
READ: AU urges King Mswati III to 'unban' political parties, adopt democratic reforms
Mabuza and Dube have since been found guilty of terrorism, sedition and murder. Simelane went into exile and formed Swalimo.
King Mswati reacted with brutality. His police and soldiers conducted a reign of terror and torture that led to the maiming and killing of more than 1 000 civilians.
Among the casualties were human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko, who was assassinated at his home in January.
Mswati has since allegedly hired apartheid-era mercenaries to silence dissent in the country.
Swalimo spokesperson, Thantaza Silolo, said that the organisation did not participate in the elections but urged all citizens to register to vote with the purpose of electing a certain kind of MP – who would emulate the trio who sparked the protests.
“Indeed, the system is a farce,” he added, “but with representatives who are pro-change, you are able to make inroads. Swalimo, being a mass-based movement, had many of its members and supporters participating indeed and many made it, which resulted in most of the pro-regime contestants – who are from the old Parliament – being booted out of the race early in the primaries and some in the secondary elections.
READ: Eswatini activist’s abduction‘ an assault on SA’s sovereignty’
“I can mention that we do not have large numbers, of course, but we are happy with the inroads.”
Pudemo president, Mlungisi Makhanya, said that his organisation respected other parties’ decision to allow their members to participate in the elections.
“The majority of organisations in the Mass Democratic Movement resolved not to associate themselves with the farce called Tinkhundla elections,” Makhanya said.
He added:
Eswatini government spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo said that the government was “quite comfortable” with the recommendations by the AU and various observatory missions.
Strangely, he said that political parties were not banned in the country. “They operate and meet freely, and their respective members have contested the recently concluded elections.” King Mswati III has announced the 10 MPs as he has the power to handpick. Among them is his son, Prince Lindani.
