King Mswati III Celebrates 40 Years Amid Criticism

King Mswati III marked his 40-year reign in eSwatini, a landlocked kingdom with a population of 1.5 million, with celebrations attended by regional leaders including Lesotho's King Letsie III and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Despite the pomp, activists in exile lament the oppressive regime, which has been characterized by human rights violations and a lack of freedom of speech.

Zweli Dlamini, a media figure, noted that world leaders, including those from Taiwan and China, appear indifferent to the plight of pro-democracy activists. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has also been criticized for its silence on the issues within eSwatini.

The article references the mysterious death of activist Thulani Maseko and highlights the challenges faced by those opposing the king's rule, including the imprisonment of journalists and the suppression of civil society.