Here's a brief summary:
The elections of September 2008 were a farce and the Commonwealth's report indicates so. Page 32 of the 54 page document states: We cannot therefore conclude that the entire process was credible.
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/document/184655/2008_swaziland_elections.htm
In October the King's government tried to stop the Southern African Social Forum three days before it was to begin in Manzini. Social movements and NGOs were quick to point out not even Mugabe had tried this when the forum took place in Zimbabwe! Mswati's true colors became apparent to all. The Swazi organizers took the issue to High Court, won and the event went ahead as scheduled on Oct 16.
Oct 14 Government bans Southern African Social Forum
The King summoned the nation to the traditional royal area the very same day. People began arriving as early at 7am and sat in the hot sun until the king strolled in at 4 in the afternoon. Many of these people had left their homes at 3 or 4am so they would be there in the morning. The temperature was around 35 celcius that day and people were made to sit in the sun without shade, food or water. All waiting for the king's announcement.
Many suspected the king was drunk for his words were slurred and the speech rambled from topic to topic. He angrily told the nation those who oppose the current system need to be "throttled" or "strangled". He warned opposition not only they but their families would be targeted as well.
Oct 17 King declares war
The king then appointed Barnabus Sibusiso Dlamini as Prime Minister. The Constitution says the PM should be chosen by the king from one of the elected Members of Parliament. You won't be surprised to know the king ignored this.
In November the new PM labeled four political organisations "terrorist" and arrested the president of PUDEMO. Mario Masuku has been in prison since the middle of November as government concocts charges. First they said police found material in his home about how to construct weapons. Two days later that charge was dropped and police said Masuku said something seditious at a funeral in September.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/free-mario-masuku
But the government never explained why it took them two months to lay charges. What had conspire between September and November? Of course, those in Swaziland will tell you - the king needed an arrogant man to follow his whims and one who would ignore the Rule of Law. This is exactly what Barnabus Dlamini had done when he was the PM from 1998-2003.
While Mario Masuku is locked in prison for speaking against the tyranny of the aristocratic system Swaziland is again making world news. Once more it has the notorious distinction of having the highest HIV rates in the world.
HIV rate among women in Swaziland at 42% Feb 20, 2009
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