Pro-democracy protesters from Eswatini gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria on Friday, voicing strong opposition to a reported deal between the U.S. government and Eswatini’s monarchy that would see deported migrants returned to the southern African kingdom.
Protesters accused King Mswati III, Africa’s last absolute monarch, of striking the deal for personal gain, allegedly accepting up to $500 million in exchange, with no benefit to ordinary Swazi citizens.
“Swaziland is the second highest in suicide rates in Africa,” said protest organizer Philile Khumalo. “That’s due to deep poverty and social issues. Yet the king can make a $500 million deal with the U.S., and none of that will help the people. That’s why we’re here today.”
The protest highlighted broader frustrations with Eswatini’s economic inequalities and authoritarian rule. Demonstrators called for an end to the monarchy and demanded accountability.
Sakhile Nxumalo, president of the Swaziland Youth Congress, said the deal would only strengthen the royal family’s grip on power. “These billions won’t fight crime or help people,” he said. “They’ll just sustain the king, his 15 wives, and his lavish lifestyle.”
Eswatini is classified as a lower middle-income country, but 63% of its population lives below the poverty line, and youth unemployment stands at a staggering 58%, among the highest rates globally.
Protesters are urging both the U.S. and Eswatini governments to reconsider the agreement and prioritize the well-being and rights of the Swazi people.
Malawi police arrest eight for alleged election fraud
Police in Malawi have arrested eight people for alleged electoral fraud as the country waits for the final results of Tuesday’s general election.
Inspector General Merlyne Yolamu said the suspects, who were working as data entry clerks, had been trying to manipulate the figures.
Malawi’s 2019 election was marred by controversy when the highest court annulled then President Peter Mutharika’s victory, citing widespread irregularities.
As a result, Malawi’s electoral commission is on high alert for any potential issues. Official tallies, so far, suggest Mutharika is leading the race for the presidency with incumbent Lazarus Chakwera in second place.
More results from Malawi’s 36 districts are expected to be released on Saturday – a candidate needs to win more than 50% of the vote, or a run-off is held.
In the meantime, Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party said it had lodged a complaint with the electoral commission, claiming to have discovered irregularities in the count.
Officials did not specify what those irregularities were.
The commission is expected to announce the outcome of the election only after all votes have been tallied and verified in order to avoid the possibility of the final result being challenged.
According to law, the electoral commission has until the end of Wednesday to announce the final tallies.
In 2019, when Mutharika’s victory was annulled, a court said there had been widespread tampering, including the use of Tipp-Ex correction fluid on results sheets.
Chakwera, 70, won the re-run by a wide margin, propelling him to the presidency.
Mutharika, 85, is hoping to regain office in what would be a dramatic political comeback.
Malawians also voted in parliamentary and local elections following a campaign dominated by the worsening economic crisis that has seen a severe shortage of fuel and foreign currency.
The official inflation rate is close to 30%, with a frozen chicken in a supermarket in the capital, Lilongwe, costing about $20 (£15), in a nation where most people live on $2 a day or less.
