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Topic Paragraph
I choose this topic because I am interested in finding out more about the student protests that have been happening. Over recent years, and especially since attending University, I have seen and read on the news about a range of different protests occurring around the country. Furthermore, I am invested in exploring the differences in the student activism in the UK and Eswatini. I will be covering the issues within the education system, the authorities that govern it and how this has led to the acceleration of the protests. I will be exploring the connection between the government, monarchy and the protests. I will explore what impact the student protests have had on Eswatini and the effect of social media and police brutality.

Background


Eswatini is an absolute monarchy, this is where the king (Mswati III) has complete power over all three divisions of the government. The prime minister, cabinet and 10 of the 69 members of the House of Assembly are appointed and selected by the king. Political tensions surrounding the democracy of the country have been simmering for decades. Activists and members of the political parties have called for a constitutional monarchy, where the king is ceremonial and a prime minister is elected. The monarchy uses repressive laws to control critics, this includes the 1938 Sedition and Subversive Activities Act (SSA Act) and the 2008 Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA).

Protests began in May 2021 following the death of 25-year-old law student Thabani Nkomanye, who was allegedly in police custody. As contradictory statements from the police led to confusion about the cause of his death, student activists called for demonstrations. Another cause of the protests was the advocation for a democratic government by three pro-democracy MPs. The government’s response was to implement an internet shutdown, impose curfews and deploy armed forces to protect key infrastructure. Protests were disbanded with live ammunition, killing and injuring civilians, and there were reports of South African journalists being abducted and tortured.

Events and Development
On 14 May, the body of law student and activist, Thabani Nkomonye was found. Inconsistent statements by the police led to the suspicion surrounding his death. This triggered widespread protests in Mbabane, Manzini and Matsapha. Students marched to demand justice for his death. The union's secretary-general, Sacolo Bafanabakhe, and four others were arrested on 21 May when a memorial for Nkomonye turned violent, with the police allegedly firing teargas at demonstrating students.

Up to this point, the protests were peaceful but on 20 June approximately 500 young people marched through a village in Manzini to demand the right to vote for their prime minister. They burned tyres, blocked roads and chanted political slogans, requesting for the king to lift the ban on political parties. On 24 June the acting Prime Minister announced the suspension of petitions and then between 25-26 June the attempted delivery of a petition to a constituency in Siphofaneni was stopped by armed forces and a national internet shutdown was put in place. Then come social media reports that King Mswati III of Eswatini had fled the kingdom after the pro-democracy protests turned violent. The reports said that protesters set fire to several shops in Matsapha..

On July 16 a march in Manzini was dissipated by armed forces and King Mswati appointed former CEO, Mr Dlamini, as the new Prime Minister. Within 2 days an off-duty police officer shot and killed two young men, sparking protests by locals. The Police Commissioner makes a statement to the nation, that the officer has been arrested and suspended. Protests that followed became more violent and involved arson and looting. The National Police Commissioner reported that there had been 34 casualties and 697 arrests. Government clampdown was swift, the army took control of the capital city, Mbabane and martial law was declared.

Throughout September 2021, students from high schools and universities held demonstrations and delivered petitions to parliament. Soldiers and police were deployed in schools to prevent the anti-government protests. Students called for the release of two lawmakers who were arrested during the pro-democracy mobilizations earlier that year. On 19th September 2021, students of William Pitcher College made their way to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, to demand refunds for the hostel's fees that were unused due to the pandemic. However, the army was deployed on the evening of the protest action, resulting in students being injured, with at least ten of them needing medical attention for the injuries they sustained.

By mid October 2021, over 80 people had been killed in the protests which began in May 2021. In early October 2021, protests flared up again in Eswatini, resulting in the deployment of the military in several parts of the country. On October 18 the government moved to shut schools “indefinitely” after weeks of students boycotting classes. The crisis in Eswatini worsens amid pro-democracy protests.

Impact and Response
Amnesty International has reported that more than 80 people have been killed by the national forces during the protests and more than 150 people hospitalised. The United Nations has called for an 'investigation into reported human rights abuses', after analysing the reports of unnecessary force used by security forces. Since the start of the protests, Eswatini authorities have worked with independent telecommunications companies like multinational corporation MTN to impose a blackout on communication and the internet. Amnesty International is calling for an end to the telecommunication blackout, which is a brazen violation of the rights to freedom of expression and information. Hundreds of protestors have been detained and are facing criminal charges, including property damage, worsening the prison capacity crisis alongside the Covid-19 pandemic.

Eswatini now realises the impact the restricted political system is having on the effectiveness of its government, in dealing with the country's socio-economic problems. Support is growing for re-democratisation. Riots in late June caused damages worth an estimated R3 billion (approximately $204,600,00.00). King Mswati III has announced a R500 million fund to aid business recovery, while the young protestors have faced widespread condemnation, not only by the king but also by policymakers and media outlets.

Demonstrations have led the government to scrutinise university activity more closely and exercise more direct control over the institution. After failing to have their working and living conditions improved teachers engaged in protests, this triggered a students strike in which there were reports of students ripping the national flag, singing political songs and stoning government vehicles.

Annotated Bibliography
K. Mlaba (2021) Schools Close Idefinitely in eSwatini Amid Pro-Democracy Protests. Global Citizen. Available at: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/eswatini-schools-closed-pro-democracy-protests/ (Accessed 28 October 2021)

This article examines the situation within which many schools have permanently closed due to the protests. The students have been protesting for free education and an end to the monarchy's rule of the country. Look at the police action against protestors which has at. times resulted in death, touches briefly on the issue of police brutality and how this may have been the cause of the start of the protests. A general consensus that there needs to be democratic change, lack of responsibility from the monarchy. Social media has been a huge player in the exposure of the protests on 'Friday, October 15 the internet was shut down for two hours’. Based upon statements from politicians and the local media. The article highlights the position of all groups involved, from a neutral aspect allows the reader to get a really clear overview of the situation. Although there is no argument purely based on facts and statements.

N. Maseko (2021) Eswatini. BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cjnwl8q4xjlt/eswatini (Accessed on 25 October 2021)

This is a collection on the BBC news website of short and long articles relating to the current situation with the student protests in eSwatini. The articles are mainly from a political perspective, examining the situation and how the government and monarchy are responding and the action they are taking. The articles also focus on the presence of social media and the effect this is having on the nature of the protests. The first article 'Eswatini to set up a national forum to solve crisis focuses on how Eswatini's King Mswati and the president are working closely to 'end violence and maintain peace. Multiple articles highlight the number of people who have died in the anti-government protests this year. The articles as a whole seem very unbiased and based solely on factual information. There are a lot of facts and figures and less so opinions and arguments from one side or another. However the situation is not explored in-depth, it consists of the surface-level facts of the situation.

P. Kulkarni (2021) Eswatini army brutalises students boycotting exams. Mail and Guardian. Available at: https://mg.co.za/africa/2021-10-11-eswatini-army-brutalises-students-boycotting-exams/ (Accessed on 25 October 2021)

This article explores the protests and boycotting of exams by the Students Representative Council (SRC) due to the 'unpaid monthly allowances' and 'hostel fees' being used because of the Covid-19 lockdown. The author highlights the mistreatment of students by the police and the army and the corruption of the authorities. Evidence for this is mainly taken from the president of the SRC. Some of the evidence is not factual but taken from interviews and what individuals have said therefore it could be subjective. The majority of the evidence is based upon the opinions of others so it cannot be taken at face value. The article does not go into a lot of detail and seems as though the reader is not getting the whole picture. The author seems biased towards the students and so we do not get to see an argument from both sides or an opposing argument of any sort. Although we only get one side of the argument it goes in-depth and we get a clear overview of what the students have been through and their motivations behind the protests. Unfortunately, it is quite a short article so there is no opportunity to explore the argument further.