The People's United Democratic Movement party (PUDEMO) has claimed that its president, Mlungisi Makhanya, was poisoned in an assassination attempt in neighboring South Africa. The incident has raised concerns about the political situation in Eswatini, one of the last absolute monarchies in the world.
Makhanya, who had recently announced plans for new pro-democracy protests in Eswatini, was reportedly hospitalized after being poisoned. The circumstances surrounding the alleged poisoning remain unclear, and the Eswatini government has denied any involvement.
King Mswati III, who has ruled Eswatini since 1986, wields significant power over the country's government. Human rights groups have criticized his authoritarian rule, citing limited space for dissent and allegations of security forces cracking down on pro-democracy activists.
The country, formerly known as Swaziland, experienced pro-democracy protests in 2021, leading to a violent crackdown by security forces. The unrest resulted in the deaths of 46 people, with allegations of excessive force and human rights abuses.
Makhanya's poisoning follows the fatal shooting of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, a member of PUDEMO, last year. The government denied involvement in Maseko's killing, and no one has been held accountable for the crime.
Political parties remain restricted in Eswatini, with the king holding significant influence over the appointment of key government positions. Critics have accused King Mswati III of leading a lavish lifestyle while many citizens in the country face high levels of poverty.
The alleged poisoning of Makhanya has drawn condemnation from South African political parties, with the Economic Freedom Fighters party blaming the incident on the oppressive Mswati regime. The situation in Eswatini continues to be closely monitored amid ongoing concerns about political repression and human rights violations.
