Africa’s last absolute monarchy is shaken, as protestors defy Eswatini’s king
A crisis simmers in Southern Africa as the landlocked country formerly known as Swaziland cracks down on pro-democracy demonstrations.
One nation is making its Olympics debut in Tokyo. Formerly known as Swaziland, the Kingdom of Eswatini—Africa’s last absolute monarchy—will be represented when four of its athletes go for the gold in track and field, boxing, and swimming.
While these citizens compete in Japan, many of their family, friends, and fans back home in Southern Africa are engaged in an entirely different struggle—one with far-reaching, and deadly, consequences.
For the past two months, Eswatini has been gripped by unrest as pro-democracy protestors have taken to the streets to call for political reform and express dissatisfaction with the rule of King Mswati III, Africa’s last absolute monarch.
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