Crackdown ends protest against Swaziland’s king

The Washington Times ^ | April 12, 2011 | Geoff Hill

[L,TOWM]

Forces loyal to Swaziland’s King Mswati III on Tuesday used water cannons and fired tear gas canisters and rubber bullets at pro-democracy demonstrators to break up a protest against sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch....

Protesters have demanded the abdication of King Mswati lll, whose 14 wives and lavish lifestyle have drawn criticism in a country where an estimated 60 percent of its 1.2 million people live on less than $2 per day.

The 43-year-old king has several palaces and a fleet of luxury cars, and his wives are accused of taking frequent shopping trips to Europe.

Swaziland has the world’s highest HIV infection rate, with more than a quarter of the population infected by the disease.

[L,TOWM]

I am friends with two famillies that are permanent missionairies to that nation and have made some friends with locals during my 5 missions there. Two more days of protests are scheduled, tomorrow in the capital city of Mbabane, and Thursday in the far south of the country in Nhlangano.

[kbennkc]

people live on less than $2 per day.

Sounds great. $20 per day I should be in fat city.

[Ax]

I spent about a month in Swaziland back in the 80s. It wasn’t a bad place then, but very poor. A lot of South African whites hang out there so they can hang around with the Swazi ladies in the bars there and not be seen by their families. I used to eat lunch just about every day in the Kentucky Fried Chicken near the embassy.

[L,TOWM]

4,200 Emalengani a month will put you ahead of most Swazis. Still may not get you running water and electricity, though.

[DManA]

Time to go to bed. I could have sworn that said Switzerland.

[Niuhuru]

*Snicker* You too? I thought it was Switzerland too.