STATE-SPONSORED VIOLENCE: A YEAR OF BRUTALITY AGAINST ACTIVISTS

In Eswatini, the monarchy’s response to calls for democracy has been defined by systematic and state-sponsored violence. Over the past year, activists, opposition members, and ordinary citizens have faced relentless repression at the hands of the government. By September 2022, this violence had become a cornerstone of the monarchy’s strategy to maintain power, instilling fear in the population and silencing dissent.

The pro-democracy protests of 2021 were a watershed moment for Eswatini, but they were also a turning point in the government’s brutality. The protests, sparked by the killing of a university student and escalating calls for political reform, were met with disproportionate force. Security forces deployed live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas against unarmed demonstrators, resulting in the deaths of over 80 people. Many more were injured or arrested, with countless others enduring the trauma of witnessing violence in their communities.

In the year that followed, the monarchy doubled down on its use of violence as a tool of repression. Activists were abducted, tortured, and in some cases, disappeared entirely. Human rights defenders like Thulani Maseko faced constant harassment, with threats escalating to physical attacks and, eventually, assassination in 2023. Community organizers who dared to challenge the monarchy’s authority were arbitrarily detained, denied legal representation, and subjected to inhumane conditions in custody.

The impact of this violence extended beyond individual activists. Entire communities were targeted as part of the government’s strategy to suppress dissent. Security forces carried out raids on neighborhoods suspected of harboring protestors, using intimidation and destruction as a warning to others. These raids left families displaced and communities living in fear, their lives disrupted by a state determined to crush any semblance of resistance.

Women and youth have been disproportionately affected by the violence. Women who participated in demonstrations or advocated for reform have been targeted with gender-based violence, including harassment and assault. Meanwhile, young people, who make up the majority of the pro-democracy movement, have faced particularly harsh treatment. Many were arrested and detained without due process, their futures jeopardized by a government that views their activism as a threat to the status quo.

Despite the widespread use of violence, the government has faced little accountability. No investigations have been launched into the actions of security forces, and no officials have been held responsible for the deaths and injuries inflicted during the protests. This culture of impunity sends a clear message: the state can act with complete disregard for the rights of its citizens, confident that it will not face consequences.

The international community has expressed concern about the situation in Eswatini, but its response has largely been limited to statements and symbolic gestures. Regional bodies like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have called for dialogue, but these efforts have been undermined by the monarchy’s refusal to engage in meaningful reform. Meanwhile, global human rights organizations continue to document the abuses, raising awareness but struggling to compel action from international powers.

For those of us in exile, the ongoing violence in Eswatini is both heartbreaking and enraging. It is a stark reminder of the lengths to which the monarchy will go to maintain its grip on power. But it is also a call to action. The resilience of the activists on the ground, who continue to push for change despite the risks, inspires those of us who fight from afar. Their courage must be matched by our determination to amplify their voices and demand accountability.

The people of Eswatini deserve justice for the violence they have endured. The government must be held accountable for its actions, and the culture of impunity must be dismantled. This requires not only domestic reform but also sustained international pressure. The world cannot stand by as Eswatini’s citizens are brutalized for exercising their basic human rights.

As we reflect on the past year, we must remember the lives lost and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of democracy. The fight for freedom in Eswatini is far from over, but it is a fight worth continuing. State-sponsored violence cannot and will not silence the voices of those who demand justice. Together, we will build a future where the rights of every citizen are respected, and the days of fear and repression are left behind.