A call for African solidarity as human rights in Eswatini continue to worsen

28 Jul 2024

The ongoing imprisonment of opposition parliamentarians Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube is part of a broader pattern of human rights violations in Africa’s last absolute monarchy, where King Mswati III’s government is unyielding in its quest to crush dissent.

In a lonely cell in Eswatini’s maximum security Matsapha Correctional Complex, former opposition parliamentarians Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube marked three long years in prison on Thursday, 25 July 2024.

Earlier in the month, a court sentenced them to spend a combined 43 years behind bars after convicting them on bogus, trumped-up terrorism-related and murder charges. Prison guards have allegedly assaulted the two men since locking them up in 2021, and after the sentencing, they started denying food to Mabuza, which amounts to torture or other ill-treatment.

Mabuza and Dube’s plight is part of a broader pattern of human rights violations in Africa’s last absolute monarchy, where King Mswati III’s government is unyielding in its quest to crush dissent.

But their harsh treatment should not be just another example of abuse of power in the nation. Instead, it should be a wake-up call to southern African governments to urgently take unified action to help Eswatini improve its human rights record.

In particular, South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) must ratchet up the pressure on Mswati to release Mabuza and Dube and ensure accountability for past violations.

The roots of Eswatini’s crisis are embedded in the king’s government’s use of harsh laws to punish opposing views with little regard for human rights.

Authorities prosecuted Mabuza and Dube under draconian anti-terror and sedition laws after arresting them for supporting widespread pro-democracy protests triggered by the death of 25-year-old law student Thabani Nkomonye in police custody. Mswati’s security agents unleashed brutal force on the protesters, arresting hundreds of people, including children, and killing dozens.

There’s been no justice for those killings – nor for the unlawful killing of leading activist Thulani Maseko, shot dead in his own home in January 2023. Indeed, instead of investigating Maseko’s death, authorities – suspected of being behind the killing – have instead decided to harass and intimidate his widow for demanding accountability.

Hesitant

Unfortunately, Eswatini’s neighbours and the wider international community have been hesitant to decisively challenge the Mswati government’s human rights record.

In 2022, SADC’s security organ postponed a summit to discuss Eswatini’s crisis and then pulled the issue from its agenda entirely. Last week, not one southern African government voiced concern over Mabuza and Dube’s absurd sentences (the two men have fewer than 20 days to appeal).

Meanwhile, when neighbouring countries have spoken out in the past, there was little follow-through. After Maseko’s murder, SADC, the AU Commission chairperson and the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights issued strong statements calling for an investigation. But the initial flurry of concern quickly dissipated, and over a year later, there is nothing to show. Calls for national dialogue have similarly floundered.

In short, it’s time to ramp up the pressure.

First, regional governments must speak out with one voice whenever Eswatini authorities violate human rights. They must also put human rights on the agenda during bilateral engagements with Eswatini and at regional meetings such as SADC’s Heads of State and Government summit in Zimbabwe in August.

Regional governments must also follow statements of concern with coordinated action matching the severity of human rights violations.

For instance, South Africa could use its regional leverage to spearhead diplomacy, while SADC could designate a special envoy, as it did for Lesotho during that country’s 2018 crisis. SADC could also establish a task force to monitor and report on the situation.

Next, Eswatini’s beleaguered civil society needs international solidarity if it is to endure continued repression. Local activists need resources to defend human rights and platforms to amplify their efforts. The AU can help channel international attention and aid to support civil society in Eswatini, including through its Economic, Social and Cultural Council and the Pan-African Parliament, both of which are based in southern Africa. Activists globally must also take up the cause.

Further, international legal action could complement diplomatic efforts. Submitting complaints to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights can put Eswatini officials on notice that human rights violations cannot continue.

But perhaps the most important thing the international community can do to help improve Eswatini’s human rights record is to work together.

Individual nations like South Africa along with SADC, the AU, non-African allies and global civil society must take a coordinated and consistent approach to push Eswatini’s leaders to change course on human rights.

Otherwise, Mabuza and Dube may spend many more years unjustly behind bars. DM

Nkanyiso Mtolo is country campaigner in Amnesty International’s East and Southern Africa office.

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