This archive report was first published on 22 October 2021.
Published on October 22, 2021, Eswatini, Africa's last absolute monarchy, has banned protests as regional mediators landed in the kingdom to address the escalating pro-democracy demonstrations.
On Thursday, a demonstrator died in hospital from gunshot wounds suffered the day before when security forces opened fire on a protest, according to unions.
At least 30 health workers were treated for gunshot injuries, the nurses' union said.
"Due to the spate of violent cases during protests, I have stopped all city and town municipals from issuing permits to hold protests," Public Works Minister Prince Simelane told a news conference.
Internet access was limited, with Facebook completely shut off for a second day.
"Images that are coming from Eswatini are very disturbing indeed, and we can see that the political temperature is very hot," Jeff Radebe, head of the mediators sent to the country by the 16-nation Southern African Development Community, told South Africa's public broadcaster.
Five high-school students arrested during protests were arraigned on terrorism charges on Thursday for their role in the democracy push. Prosecutors accused them of burning down a police post.
At least 30 people have died since June in some of the worst unrest in the southern African country's history.
