Guest: Simphiwe Dlamini - International Secretary Communist Party of Swaziland

Eswatini's legislative elections on Friday are not anticipated to alter the political climate of the nation. As the last absolute monarchy in Africa, parliament merely serves as an advisory body, and anyone who defies the king does so at their own risk. 

Eswatini political reform opponents and traditional elders are said to have harassed and intimidated activists running in parliamentary elections with the goal of pushing for democratic reforms from within the legislature.

Some activists have chosen to run in this year's parliamentary elections with the hope of influencing democratic reforms from within the Eswatini legislature, which has for years been predominated by traditionalists and pro-monarchy politicians. This decision was made in response to the violent pro-democracy protests against the monarchy in June 2021, which resulted in the deaths of over 50 people.