2021–2023 Eswatini protests

2021–2023 Eswatini protests
2021–2023 Eswatini protests
Date	20 June 2021 – c. summer 2023
Location	Eswatini; solidarity protests in South Africa
Caused by	Authoritarian rule and suppression of opposition; Misuse of the country's funds by the monarchy; Government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic;
Goals	Democratic reforms; End of the king's absolute rule; Constitutional monarchy;
Methods	Peaceful demonstrations; Blockades and tyre-burning and harassing travellers; Arson and looting; Burning of public and private property; Strike action;
Status	Protests suppressed
Parties
Opposition: Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS); Members of parliament who are arrested for the initiative Pro Democratic movement.; People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO); Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC); Swazi Democratic Party (SWADEPA); Economic Freedom Fighters of Swaziland (EFFSWA); African United Democratic Party (AUDP); Mass Democratic Movement (MDM); Swaziland International Solidarity Forces;	Government: Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS); Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF); Pro-government protesters;
Lead figures
	No centralized leadership King Mswati III
Casualties and losses
Dead 27 (official number) - Government; 24+ (Bloomberg, 3 July); 50+ (PUDEMO claim, 1 July); Injured 28 (Al Jazeera); 300+ (PUDEMO);

A series of protests in Eswatini against the absolute monarchy and for democratisation began in late June 2021. Starting as a peaceful protest on 20 June, they escalated after 25 June into violence and looting over the weekend when the government took a hardline stance against the demonstrations and prohibited the delivery of petitions. Lower-level unrest and protests continued until summer 2023.