Calls for democracy in Swaziland grow louder

SWAZILAND, ruled as an absolute monarch, may soon be following the tide that is sweeping across Southern Africa as demands for democracy grow bolder and opposition political leaders come out of their closets.

The country, which gained independence in 1968, has had no political parties since 1973 when the ruler, King Sobuza, banned all political parties including the Imbokodvo (The grinding stone), also known as the King’s party, which came to power after independence.

Three political parties have now surfaced and have vowed to operate openly. They are the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), the Swaziland United Front (SUF) and the Swaziland National Front (SWANAFRO). Incidentally, all opposition parties are led by Shongwes.

PUDEMO, which is led by Kislon Shongwe, a lawyer, was formed in 1983 following the death of King Sobhuza but has been struggling to gain recognition under King Mswati. PUDEMO is regarded as socialist and has had a few scuffles with the government. Its members have been arrested several times mainly on charges of disturbing the peace and also for being associated with an illegal organisation.

SUF is led by Mutsapa Shongwe, a Christian preacher, who is said to advocate the traditional approach, while the SWANAFRO is led by the Elmond Shongwe, a businessman. It is reported to be for the middle of the road.

Although political parties are still banned, the young leader of the kingdom has called for discussion on constitutional development. This has led to the surfacing of the political parties and there are already growing fears that more might surface and thus flood the small nation with too many political parties.

There are also two major groups which are politically involved but claim they are not political parties. These are the Human Rights Association of Swaziland (HUMARAS) which is closely allied to Amnesty International and the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), an organisation set up to organise unemployed youths.

HUMARAS is mainly opposed to the ban on political activity and calls for a move towards multiparty democracy while SWAYOCO has similar aims and seems to have made impact in the crowded townships of the country.

Although the parties and groups are illegal they seem to have been allowed to operate, but maybe just to remind them of the reality, their leaders are picked up from time to time.

The greatest problem the opposition parties are facing, however, is not harassment but their failure to organize meetings. They fear that since they have not been able to fully explain to the people what they stand for and convince them about their motives, most people think they are just against authority, which means the king.