Pope, bishop call for truce after anti-monarchy stir in Eswatini

Pope Francis and the sole bishop in Eswatini have sought calm and dialogue after the tiny southern African nation of absolute monarchy descended into civil unrest.

After the Sunday Angelus July 4, Pope Francis recalled the situation in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland): "News is arriving from the dear nation of Eswatini, in southern Africa, news of tension and violence.” 

Security forces have killed at least 20 people and 150 persons have been injured in the anti-monarchy unrest, which started June 24, according to civil rights group Amnesty International.  

At least 150 people have been injured by firearms, and are being treated at hospitals in capital Mbabane and the largest urban center Manzini.

Pope Francis urged the monarchy and protesters to work towards “dialogue, reconciliation and a peaceful settlement” to differences. 

“I invite those who hold responsibility, and those who are manifesting their aspirations for the future of the country, to a common effort toward dialogue, reconciliation and the peaceful settlement of different positions.” 

The demonstrators are demanding democratic reforms in the land-locked country, including lifting the ban on opposition parties which is in force since 1973.

Thousands of protesters have taken to the street in Mbabane and elsewhere, and have burned and looted business establishments in which King Mswati III and the royal family hold stakes.  

A brewery partially owned by King Mswati III was also set on fire June 29 night. 

The government in the southern African kingdom has responded with the military and the police firing live rounds at protesters.

“As I have stated in the past, fighting fire with fire will bring our country to ashes,” said Argentina-born Bishop José Luis Ponce de León of Manzini, the sole diocese in the country, in a July 2 statement. 

“An inclusive and open dialogue without excluding anyone is the only possible way to move forward,” said Bishop Ponce de León.

There is a food and gas shortage across Eswatini, which has been independent for 53 years, as trucks are unable to enter the country amid the unrest, local media said.  

A supermarket outside of Manzini was burnt and looted June 28. 

Internet connections have been disconnected by the government to suppress information.

The Consolata Missionaries bishop appealed for the restoration of internet services to disseminate information and to avoid dependence on foreign media.

The ability to communicate will also allow Churches, NGOs, and other organizations to share their appeals for calm and dialogue, the prelate noted.  

The current uprising is triggered by the death in May of a University of Eswatini law student in a car accident, as claimed by the authorities.

But student leaders said that Thabani Nkomoye was killed at the hands of the police.  

Dissident lawmakers and activists have joined students in seeking a system with an elective prime minister.

In his statement, Bishop Ponce de León quoted Pope Francis’ 2020 encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, to say that “authentic social dialogue involves the ability to respect the other’s point of view.”

After the country became independent in 1968, Sobhuza II came to the throne when the British colonizers designated him the top chief. 

Bishop fears escalation of unrest

After five years, the king banned political parties, and placed the control of the country in his hands. 

Four years after the king’s death, the power was passed down to 18-year-old Prince Makhosetive, King Sobhuza II’s son, in 1986. 

He assumed the title of King Mswati III and became the country’s absolute monarch.

The 53-year-old King Mswati III family holds stakes in many lucrative business establishments, including a 25 percent cut in mining deals in the country.  

Much of that wealth is squandered over supporting his sprawling large family — 15 wives and more than 30 children.

His children flaunt their opulent birthday parties on social media.

The 53-year-old king is unapologetic about the lavish lifestyle of his children and wives, who between them share several state-owned palaces.

The monarch has not confirmed any deaths in the 1.5 million country of subsistence farmers due to the ongoing anti-king stir. 

A dusk-till-dawn curfew was in force June 29 and acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku denied media reports that King Mswati had fled the country.

"His Majesty...is in the country and continues to advance the kingdom's goals. We appeal for calm, restraint and peace," Masuku said.

Fearing an escalation in the unrest, Bishop Ponce de León met with Masuku as part of a delegation from the Council of Eswatini Churches on June 29. 

Sixty-year-old Ponce de León, heading the Manzini diocese since 2013, shared on Twitter a message by the Council of Eswatini Churches, published July 2.

“Currently we are experiencing high levels of violence from both the security forces and the protestors,” the council said.

The council blamed the government and protestors for leaving behind “a trail of destruction with properties vandalized or burnt and shops looted.”

Demonstrations are rare in Eswatini, where political parties are banned from running in national polls. 

The country changed its name from Swaziland in 2018 as part of a democratic transition plan.