What is Eswatini? Thanks for asking!

Situated between South Africa and Mozambique in southern Africa, the small landlocked country of Eswatini has a surface area of just 17,000 km2 and a population of 1.3 million. Until 2018, it was known as Swaziland, a name which may be more familiar to you. Then King Mswati III decided to restore the pre-colonial name Eswatini, in recognition of 50 years of independence.

Eswatini also happens to be Africa’s last absolute monarchy. In late May, an anti-establishment protest movement took off. The country’s people are rebelling against their king and demanding a democracy. Shops have been burned and looted by rioting youths, with government buildings also attacked.

What led to the start of the protest movement? How did the authorities respond to the protests? Isn’t Southern Africa usually a calm region? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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