Eswatini MP pleads for regional intervention

An MP behind the pro-democracy protests in Eswatini has called on regional bodies and the international community to help restore peace in the country.

Mduduzi Similani told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that soldiers who have been deployed in the streets to deal with the protests cannot be "trusted".

He blamed the government of King Mswati of failing to listen to the people.

"I really do not have faith either in the current government led by the acting prime minister and everybody because even the king has been silent for all these days though he sees people are dying and being hurt on the streets," said Mr Similani.

The demonstrators who have been torching buildings want the country - Africa's last absolute monarchy - to transition to a democratic state.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Twitter