There seems to be a lot of interest in my post of April 13th on prospects for change in Swaziland, the last absolute monarchy in Africa. [I can't imagine why! Ed.] So here's an update.
On Friday, a "meeting of civil society" was convened in Mbabane, the nation's capital, to discuss democratic reforms. King Mswati III -- he of the many wives and concubines -- was invited to deliver the opening address. Unfortunately, he thought it inappropriate or inconvenient to attend a convention whose aim must be to depose him, so decided to give it a miss.
In retaliation, the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions, the country’s largest labour group, walked out of the meeting. The labour group argued HRH, by snubbing the meeting, had not shown a commitment to dialogue.
“Our position is that the king has refused to entertain the question of dialogue. He said this as recently as last year. It would appear that instead of strengthening our mass power we are busy talking dialogue, a language that the king refuses to embrace,” said national organizer Fundizwi Sikhondze.
Apparently the SFTU failed to consider the possibility that Mswati, who has around 67 wives at last count, might have been just too tired.
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