The People’s United Democratic Movement party (PUDEMO) in Eswatini claimed that their president, Mlungisi Makhanya, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, sparking concerns about the country’s governance and human rights situation. Makhanya was allegedly poisoned in South Africa and hospitalized, with the party stating that he was under security protection at the time. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.

Makhanya had recently announced plans for new pro-democracy protests in Eswatini, a country known for being one of the last absolute monarchies in the world, with King Mswati III wielding significant power over all branches of the government. Human rights organizations have criticized the king’s rule, citing limited space for dissent and alleged brutal crackdowns on pro-democracy activists by security forces.

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, experienced widespread pro-democracy protests in 2021, posing a notable challenge to Mswati’s long-standing reign. The response to the protests led to violent clashes, with Human Rights Watch reporting 46 deaths attributed to security forces since then. One particularly notable incident involved the fatal shooting of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko in his home, an act labeled as a political assassination by PUDEMO.

The alleged poisoning of Makhanya has drawn condemnation from South African political parties, with the Economic Freedom Fighters party attributing the incident to the “oppressive Mswati regime.” Political parties in Eswatini have faced restrictions since the 1970s, with the king retaining significant control over government appointments and legislative processes. Mswati III, known for his opulent lifestyle with multiple wives, has faced criticism for his extravagant living standards amid widespread poverty in the country.

The latest incident involving Makhanya has reignited concerns about political freedoms and human rights in Eswatini, adding to existing scrutiny on the monarchy’s authority and treatment of dissent. The government of Eswatini has denied any involvement in the alleged poisoning, further fueling calls for accountability and transparency in the country’s leadership.