The freedom of expression and human rights situation continues to
deteriorate in the Kingdom of Eswatini since the June 2021 civil unrest, in
the wake of amplified calls for justice and democratic reforms in Africa’s
last absolute monarchy.
The civil unrest that led to the death of dozens of civilians and the injury
of many more, has divided the nation into two contending camps that
can be loosely described as pro-establishment conservatives on the one
hand and the pro-democracy proponents calling for political reforms and
a human rights culture, on the other.