Swaziland's Monarchy faces Rising Unrest

Mswati’s authority is challenged by a number of popular democratic movements. The most powerful of these is the People’s Democratic Movement, which is banned as a partisan political group. In 2008 Sipho Jele, a PDM member was arrested for wearing a t-shirt with the party’s slogan on it, and later died in custody. His funeral was disrupted by armed police. Meanwhile protests are stepping up, partially inspired by the Arab Spring uprisings to the north. A fall in cross border trade with South Arica, upon which the economy is heavily dependant, has caused the implementation of unpopular austerity measures, including the suspension of state pensions, unfortunately coinciding with the announcement of lavish plans to celebrate the royal jubilee. The biggest march in several years was held in March of this year, with public servants protesting against a pay freeze. Protestors demand the resignation of Prime Minister Subusiso Dlamini, and an end to the extravagance of Mswati and his family.