A YEAR OF IMPUNITY: STILL NO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR 2021 VIOLENCE

As 2023 began, Eswatini remained haunted by the events of 2021, when security forces unleashed brutal violence against pro-democracy protesters. Two years later, the government has yet to hold anyone accountable for the deaths, injuries, and human rights violations that occurred during the crackdown. The silence from authorities and the absence of justice underscore a culture of impunity that continues to permeate the kingdom.

The 2021 protests were a watershed moment in Eswatini’s history. Citizens across the nation rose in unprecedented numbers to demand political reform and an end to police brutality. The state’s response was swift and devastating. Security forces fired live ammunition into crowds, arrested protesters en masse, and conducted raids that terrorized communities. By the end of the crackdown, more than 80 people had lost their lives, countless others were injured, and families were left grieving and searching for answers.

In the two years since, the government has done little to investigate these atrocities. Promises of inquiries into the violence have either been quietly shelved or carried out with no meaningful transparency or results. Families of victims remain in the dark, denied even the basic courtesy of answers about what happened to their loved ones. This lack of accountability has compounded their suffering, leaving wounds that cannot heal in the absence of justice.

The refusal to address the 2021 violence is emblematic of a broader disregard for human rights in Eswatini. The same security forces accused of perpetrating these abuses continue to operate without consequence, emboldened by the knowledge that the state will protect them. This impunity extends to other areas of repression, from the arbitrary detention of activists to the use of torture against political prisoners. The monarchy’s priority is clear: to maintain power at any cost, even if it means trampling on the rights of its citizens.

The consequences of this impunity are far-reaching. It has deepened the mistrust between the people and the state, eroding confidence in institutions that are meant to serve the public. For the pro-democracy movement, it has underscored the challenges of fighting for reform in a system designed to suppress dissent. Activists continue to face harassment, detention, and violence, often at the hands of the same forces responsible for the 2021 atrocities.

Internationally, the lack of accountability has drawn condemnation but little concrete action. While organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented the abuses and called for justice, the response from regional bodies like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has been muted. The failure to impose meaningful consequences on Eswatini’s leadership has allowed the regime to continue its repressive practices with impunity.

The families of those killed in 2021 deserve more than silence. They deserve answers, accountability, and justice. They deserve to see those responsible for the violence face consequences for their actions. And they deserve to live in a country where such atrocities are not repeated. The refusal to address the 2021 violence is a betrayal of these families and of every Swazi who believes in the principles of justice and equality.

The fight for accountability is not just about addressing the past—it is about shaping the future. Without justice, the cycle of violence and repression will continue, leaving future generations to inherit a broken system. But with accountability, there is a chance to rebuild trust, strengthen institutions, and create a society where every citizen’s rights are respected.

The 2021 protests were a cry for change. Two years later, that cry remains unanswered. But the resilience of Eswatini’s people, their refusal to accept injustice, and their commitment to the fight for democracy offer hope. The road to accountability is long, but it is a journey worth taking. Justice for the victims of 2021 is not only possible—it is necessary. It is the foundation upon which a better, freer Eswatini can be built.