Lionel Messi's Barcelona contract has ended

BARCELONA, Spain

A day that Barcelona fans have long dreaded has come, as Lionel Messi is no longer a Blaugrana player. 

A whole 7,504 days after his first contract with the club was signed, on a napkin no less, the forward's contractual link to the club has ended.

With his most recent deal running until June 30, Messi has become a free agent at midnight, as June turned into July.

Joan Laporta has been working hard to convince Messi to renew and the new club president wanted to sign a contract with the Argentine before the most recent one expired, but it wasn't to be.

This doesn't mean Messi is leaving the club, as those in charge at the Camp Nou believe he will put pen to paper on a new deal and continue to wear the blue and red colours. At this moment in time, though, Messi is not a Barcelona player.

The club's financial problems prevented a new deal from being signed before the June 30 expiry date. The relationship between Laporta and Messi's father is very good, but there are several aspects of the new contract that still need to be ironed out. An agreement could be reached soon, perhaps in a few days, but it hasn't been established as of yet.

Laporta, who has urged fans to remain calm, wants Messi to sign a new deal as soon as possible. He doesn't like that the forward isn't a Barcelona player, even if it's just for a few days, while sponsors don't like this either, both existing ones and potential new partners.

Nike, for example, are looking to promote the new shirt and they can't advertise it with Messi, at least at this moment in time. That's just one example, but other sponsors don't want to sign up to new deals while Messi isn't guaranteed to be a part of the Catalan club's future.

Barcelona would also like to announce Messi's renewal to put an end to the speculation and rumours.

There doesn't appear to be another club ready to try to convince Messi to sign for them right now, something other teams have been legally allowed to try to do since January. But, stranger things have happened in football.

Barcelona don't like that Messi is a free agent at this moment in time. For now, though, that's the reality.

Burkina Faso president takes on defence role amid security crisis

By Thiam Ndiaga, OUAGADOUGOU 

Burkina Faso's president Roch Kabore has taken over the role of defence minister in a cabinet reshuffle aimed at stopping a wave of jihadist attacks that has plagued the West Africa country in recent years, according to a presidential decree on Wednesday.

Groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State originally based in neighbouring Mali have embedded themselves across north and eastern Burkina Faso, launching regular attacks on civilians, including one this month that killed more than 130 people, the worst in years.

Pressure has increased on Kabore to win back control and end a humanitarian crisis in which more than 1 million people have been displaced by violence.

Leading opposition politicians have demanded the resignation of the government and called for a demonstration this weekend against what they say is the government's inability to deal with the crisis.

Kabore will oversee the defence ministry with help from Colonel Major Aimé Simpore, replacing Cheriff Sy who was in the post since January 2019, according to the decree read on national television. Simpore had previously helped run national security policy.

Maxime Koné will replace Ousseni Compaore as security minister.

Despite the presence of thousands of U.N. peacekeepers, attacks by jihadists in West Africa's Sahel region have risen sharply since the start of the year, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, with civilians bearing the brunt.

The attack this month pushes the number killed by armed Islamists in the Sahel region to more than 500 since January, according to Human Rights Watch.

Eswatini anti-monarchy riots turn deadly

MBABANE, Eswatini 

Streets in Eswatini were deserted on Wednesday as pro-democracy activists claimed eight people were killed in clashes with police in the latest bout of unrest rocking Africa’s last absolute monarchy.

Demonstrations had been relatively low key for weeks, but escalated on Monday in the tiny and usually stable landlocked kingdom previously known as Swaziland, with protesters taking to the streets in the two capitals Manzini and Mbabane to demand political reform.

Police refused to confirm the alleged deaths as well as injuries, saying they do not divulge such information to international media.

The government, which has deployed soldiers as angry crowds blocked traffic and looted shops, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew — citing rising coronavirus cases.

But witnesses said violent clashes were continuing between protesters and police.

Lucky Lukhele, spokesman for the pro-democracy Swaziland Solidarity Network, claimed that eight activists were shot dead overnight in the administrative capital Manzini.

Lukhele said they were among around 28 protesters who had been shot, some of whom were taken to hospitals in the early hours of the morning.

Internet access has been limited since Tuesday, he added, accusing the government of a shutdown.

Wandile Dludlu, secretary general of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), said shops were closed and towns were “run by soldiers” on Wednesday.

“Between yesterday and today we have got fresh reports of almost 18 people who have been shot,” he told AFP.

Burning tyres barricaded the streets Wednesday afternoon, with the sound of gunshots heard sporadically on the deserted streets of Mbabane, according to an AFP correspondent on the ground.

“We slept with the sound of gunshots and woke still to gunshots fired,” said Mbongwa Dlamini, head of the Swaziland teachers association, adding: “The looting and destruction of property became intense.”

A brewery partially owned by King Mswati III was also torched, Dlamini said.

Eswatini has long stifled dissent and pro-democracy movements, with political parties banned since 1973, in the southern African country, where the king names government ministers and controls the parliament.

But simmering frustration boiled over this month into sporadic demonstrations that prompted the government to forbid all protests last week — a move that only served to stoke further anger.

U.S. calls on Russia to stop Central Africa violence

By Michelle Nichols, UNITED NATIONS

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations called on Russia on Wednesday to stop violence by “mercenaries working as an arm of Russia’s Ministry of Defense” in the Central African Republic (CAR) and hold accountable those responsible.

U.N. sanctions monitors reported to the Security Council that Russian military instructors and CAR troops targeted civilians with excessive force, indiscriminate killings, occupation of schools and large-scale looting.

Russia has sent hundreds of military instructors to arm and train government troops against rebels in the gold- and diamond-rich country of 4.7 million. The Kremlin described the accusations in the U.N. report as a “lie.”

“Russia must immediately stop the violence, hold those responsible accountable, and remove mercenaries endangering U.N. peacekeepers and undermining their crucial work in support of peace and security in the CAR,” U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement.

Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters on Wednesday that the report was full of “ungrounded accusations.”

CAR has been mired in violence since a coalition of mostly Muslim rebels known as Seleka seized power in March 2013.

In recent months the army - backed by U.N. peacekeepers, Russian and Rwandan troops - has been battling the CPC rebels seeking to overturn a Dec. 27 vote in which President Faustin-Archange Touadera was declared the winner.

EU agrees to set up military training mission for Mozambique

BRUSSELS, Belgium

EU ambassadors on Wednesday June 30, gave the green light to setting up a military mission in Mozambique to help train its armed forces battling jihadists in the north of the country, diplomats said.

A deadly insurgency by militants linked to the Islamic State group has ravaged the gas-rich Cabo Delgado province since late 2017, claiming some 3,000 lives and displacing 800,000 people.

Portugal is already providing training for Mozambican troops — and Lisbon’s military instructors on the ground will make up some half of the new EU mission.

A senior European diplomat said that other countries including France, Italy, and Spain are expected to provide personnel for the mission.

Foreign ministers from the 27-nation bloc are due to formally sign off on the mission at a meeting on July 12.

The approval of the EU training mission comes as regional powers are also looking to bolster their support for Mozambique’s fight to crush the insurgency.

Last week the 16 southern African countries in the SADC bloc approved the deployment of forces as Mozambique’s government said it was open to foreign boots on the ground to battle the jihadists.

The EU has several other training missions in Africa, including in Mali, the Central African Republic, and Somalia.

The operation in Mali — aimed at boosting the fight against jihadists — has continued to function despite concerns after the latest in a strike of military coups that hit the country in May.

Will Tanzania get new constitution after more 60 years?

By Osoro Nyawangah

President of Tanzania, Samia Hassan said last Monday June 28 that boosting Tanzania’s economy remains her first priority, and asked to be given time to achieve that; thereafter she may look at new constitution process agenda and allow political rallies.

Tanzania citizens demonstrate demanding new constitution with a placard "New Constitution is a Must"

Tanzania that attained its independence 60 years ago has been struggling to grow its economy and according to the President, the country's economy grew by 4.8 percent last year, against a projection of 5.6 percent due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking during her maiden press conference, the Head of State said the proposed new constitution agenda and banned public political rallies will be revived when the economy improves.

She, however, said that Tanzania was facing a number of challenges that needed immediate addressing.

“From the Covid-19 pandemic and the slow economic growth rate, we have a lot of issues to work on in an effort to open up the country’s economy.” She said.

She said she needs time to uplift struggling economy: "Give me time so that Tanzania’s economy can stand firm. They say economic power buys political power.” She said.

Taking his own party by surprise, former President, Jakaya Kikewete took the opportunity of his 2011 New Year’s public address  to announce plans to introduce a new Constitution for the United Republic of Tanzania. 

On 6 April 2012, President Kikwete appointed a Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) led by Joseph Warioba, a former Prime Minister of President Ali Mwinyi who was then serving as a judge on the East African Court of Justice. The commission included retired Chief Justice Augustino Ramadhan as the Vice Chairperson as well as 30 other members.

President of Tanzania, Samia Hassan

The opening of this constitutional review process raised hopes among many Tanzanians. Coinciding with the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Union, it was expected to give space to a critical engagement with several core issues of the United Republic such as: the nature of the Union between Tanzania bara (mainland Tanzania or former Tanganyika) and Zanzibar; the protection of civil liberties and human rights; and the electoral system. 

After 8 months and a chaotic process, the Constituent Assembly (CA) finally handed the proposed Constitution to President Kikwete in October 2014.

To  be officially adopted, the Proposed Constitution has to be approved by no less than 50% of voters from either side  of the Union. 

Even though the Constitutional Review Act states that the referendum must be held within 84 days of the delivery of the proposed constitution to the President, until now, no date has been set for the referendum.

The public political rallies and peaceful political demonstrations provided for by the constitution were banned by former President John Magufuli's government in June 2016.

Former Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA) Executive Director, Ananilea Nkya

Tanzania police force banned opposition parties from conducting planned nationwide protests for fear of escalating into civil disobedience amid growing allegations that President Magufuli was abusing his power.

The development came after the main opposition party Chadema scaled up attacks against the president after the government dropped live broadcasts in parliament and the decision to suspend over 7,800 students pursuing special teaching diploma courses at Dodoma University.

Since then, the opposition parties, civic society organisations and human rights activists have been crying to the government to allow the continuation of new Constitution process and uplift the rallies ban.

President Hassan's arguement is that to achieve the economy revival goals, the country must be stable and peaceful. “It is the responsibility of everyone (the government, the media and political parties) to achieve that goal,.” She said.

That she needed time to achieve what is expected of her. “When that is achieved, we will work on other issues, including the politicians’ public rallies and the new Constitution… As of now, we allow parties to conduct their internal meetings but not public rallies.” She insisted.

The opposition leaders and activists are opposed to the President Hassan's prioritization, arguing that sound governance is the most important pillar in economic development and that one cannot achieve sound governance without sound democracy processes.

That sound governance offers alternative forms of collaboration and partnership building to engage citizens, enhance governance, and maximize citizen participation in public administration.

The Chairman of the main opposition party, Freeman Mbowe

Former Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA) Executive Director, Ananilea Nkya, argues that the new constitution is the most requirement and that better constitution is the cornerstone for sustainable development.

"Tanzania's constitution is the legal, political and administrative consensus document on how they prefer their contry to be governed." She said in her twitter page warning the President that without better constitution she will not revive the economy as she anticipates.

The Chairman of the main opposition party, Freeman Mbowe placed his blame to the President's advisors who seem not to know the five years' pains the country experienced during late President John Magufuli's tenure.

"Tanzania needs a new constitution now. There is nothing preventing the writing of a new constitution while waiting for the economy to grow. It is unfortunate that, for the entire 60 years of its independence, Tanzania has sung the same hymn of building the economy." Mbowe said.

He reiterated his call that the current constitution doesn't serve Tanzanians. The amendments that have been made are not effective and have not benefited the people. 

"Samia could cement her legacy by giving Tanzania a new constitution now and give us space to exercise our constitutional and democratic right of assembly." He insisted. - Africa

Eswatini: Anti-monarchy protests rock African kingdom

MBABANE, Eswatini 

Authorities imposed a strict curfew to contain the unrest in Africa's last absolute monarchy, as protests against King Mswati III turned violent.

Security forces in the small southern African kingdom of Eswatini on Tuesday fired gunshots and tear gas to disperse pro-democracy demonstrations, witnesses said.

Anger against Eswaitini's King Mswati III has been building for years in the country. However, protests against him are rare.

The government said Tuesday it has imposed a curfew from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. and ordered businesses to close by 3:30 p.m.

Acting Prime Minister Temba Masuku said the "government has been following these protests" and heard their demands.

"We will be working with Parliament and all concerned stakeholders to action them accordingly," Eswatini's government quoted Masuku as saying on Twitter.

Masuku also denied earlier media reports that King Mswati III had fled the violence to neighboring South Africa.

Over the past three days, footage circulating on social media showed people burning tires and barricading streets in the largest city, Manzini, and the central town of Matsapha.

Security forces set up roadblocks to prevent some vehicles from accessing the capital, Mbabane.

AFP news agency reported, citing witnesses and activists, that military soldiers were deployed across Eswatini, which changed its name from Swaziland in 2018.

"The military is on the streets," Lucky Lukhele, spokesman for the pro-democracy grouping Swaziland Solidarity Network, told AFP.

"Yesterday was the worst night ever, where a young man was shot point-blank by the army, and some are in hospital as we speak," Lukhele said.

At least 250 demonstrators have been injured with gun shot wounds, broken bones and shock, Wandile Dludlu, who leads the People's United Democratic Movement party, told AFP. 

Activists accuse the king of running a repressive government and evading calls for reforms in Eswatini.

The king has also been accused of using public coffers to fund a lavish lifestyle off the backs of 1.5 million citizens, most of them subsistence farmers.

Protesters are calling for a democratic government that will serve the people's interests, said Sakhile Nxumalo of the Swaziland Youth Congress, which is involved in the demonstrations.

"People want a democratic government where they can elect their own leaders, in particular, they want a republic so that the country can be led by a president,'' Nxumalo said.

Nxumalo added that protesters are demanding that all businesses owned by the royal family be seized or destroyed.

King Mswati III is Africa's last remaining absolute monarch. He has been in power for over three decades.

The 53-year-old monarch denies being an autocrat, and is unrepentant about the lifestyle enjoyed by him and his 15 wives, who occupy several state-funded palaces.

Since 1973, political parties have been banned in Eswatini and barred from participating in parliamentary elections. - Agencies

IMF approves $1 billion loan to finance Uganda’s COVID-19 response

KAMPALA, Uganda

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $1 billion loan to finance Uganda’s response to the COVID-19 crisis over the next three years.

The international financing institution in a statement posted on its website late on Monday said the pandemic has caused economic and social strife in the East African country leading to a reversal of anti-poverty gains, deterioration of fiscal balances, and put pressure on external buffers.

The institution said the approval enables the immediate disbursement of about 258 million dollars to start on the response and help sustain a post-crisis inclusive recovery.

"Reforms will focus on creating fiscal space for priority social spending, preserving debt sustainability, strengthening governance, and enhancing the monetary and financial sector framework,” the statement said.

IMF said some sectors of the economy are experiencing mild recovery, with economic growth in the financial year 2021/22, which starts on July 1, expected to reach 4.3 percent before returning to pre-pandemic rates of 6-7 percent in the medium term.

"The outlook remains highly uncertain, with risks tilted to the downside, including from a resurgence of tighter containment measures linked to higher COVID-19 positivity rates,” the statement said.

The country is currently under a partial lockdown that was instituted to contain the rapid spread of the pandemic. Economic experts warn that stringent containment measures are likely to negatively impact economic recovery efforts.

The new IMF financing comes over a year after the institution through an emergency fund loaned Uganda 491.5 million dollars to help contain the effects of the pandemic.

World Bank approves $130 million to help Kenya fight COVID-19

NAIROBI, Kenya

The World Bank said it has approved 14 billion shillings (about 130 million U.S. dollars) additional financing to help Kenya facilitate affordable and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

The lender said in a statement released on Monday that the financing will enable Kenya to procure more vaccines through the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) initiative and the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facilities.

Keith Hansen, World Bank country director for Kenya, said the additional funding comes at a critical time when Kenya is making concerted efforts to contain the rising cases of COVID-19 infections and accelerate the deployment of vaccines to a wider population.

"The upfront financing for the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines will enable the government to expand access to more Kenyans free of cost,” Hansen said.

The financial assistance will also be used for vaccine safety surveillance, training for health workers, and advocacy and communications activities to encourage COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

The East African nation has so far confirmed 282,884 total COVID-19 cases, 124,588 recoveries and 3,612 deaths as of Monday.

Tanzania's President wants an 'African discipline Journalism' touch

By Osoro Nyawangah, MWANZA Tanzania

Tanzania's former President John Magufuli’s sudden death in March 2021, a few months after his reelection for a second term, left the country's journalists and the media fraternity in a state of uncertainty. 

Since becoming president in 2015, the late Magufuli had become increasingly authoritarian, tolerating no criticism of himself or his policies. 

Media outlets that fail to toe the government line quickly found themselves deprived of state advertising, closure, fines or their licences suspended. 

The coronavirus crisis also fed the climate of fear and encouraged even more self-censorship.

In April this year, the new President, Samia Hassan, revived lost hopes by ordering the reopening of media outlets that were closed or otherwise repressed under President Magufuli. 

She ordered responsible authorities to lift the ban on all media outlets that were closed under the previous administration.   

"I am told you revoked licenses of some media outlets, including some online television stations. You should lift the ban but tell them to follow the law and government guidelines." She said during swearing in of Permanent Secretaries at State House.  

She added, "let us not give them a chance to say that we are limiting press freedom."

Yesterday June 29, President Hassan reiterated the same support to the media with a warning to embrace "African Journalism."

Speaking during her maiden press conference, President Hassan said that the media houses that were on suspension should reapply for new licences and continue operation.

Reacting to a question tabled by a journalist, the President said journalists should observe the law of the land and honour African discipline in their journalistic work. 

"Let me put it clear here, you have to follow the law in your practice; apart from the law we have to observe African discipline and dignity. You can't come-up with your newspaper analyzing a person thoroughly inside out as if you are not part of the community." She stressed.

She invited the media to criticize  and correct her government where they feel that is not right with "honour and African discipline."

The media plays a crucial role in informing the public about the factual situation and measures taken by government in development projects and other areas of public interest. Its capacity to operate freely should not be unduly restricted.

Journalists often describe the essence of their work as finding and presenting “the facts” and also “the truth about the facts” and not otherwise, no 'African discipline' is allowed in journalism except "the truth about the facts."

Called the Discipline of Verification, its intellectual foundation rests on three core concepts; transparency, humility, and originality.

The president should allow transparency in his government to avoid collision the media. 

Giving condition on how the media should operate is considered as media censorship that shall put the media in the state of uncertainty again!

It is very important that the government give leeway to journalists to do what they do best without monitoring them because once they're monitored, that's censorship.

Media censorship is a global phenomenon that has foreshadowed information outlets for centuries. 

A common ground for censorship is maintenance of an orderly state, whereas, the underlying motive is to keep public ignorant of the information that can potentially threaten authorities. 

Historically, the access to news has not been this easy; the press in most of Europe in the 18th century was under the draconian reins of censorship, which gradually abated by the 19th century due to public demand. 

However, autocratic and heavily centralized governments still openly or subtly employ censorship as a tool to silence government opposition. 

To combat information coup, tech savvy journalists and independent reporters channel information through social media, blogs, and news websites. The governments survive by using stringent Internet surveillance apparatus that effectively block websites and subtly filter information; hence only selective news is allowed to penetrate the firewall. 

The governments also hunt down citizens and journalists accessing disallowed websites to create a ubiquitous atmosphere of fear, harassment, and persecution. 

The role of media in a society is not limited to bringing information to public; therefore, it is crucial that media does not capitalize on selling meaningless sensation that can potentially harm people, sects, races, and religions. 

The democracy is balanced by the three pillars of namely The Executive, The Legislative and The Judiciary but now in this era Democracy is lined towards the fourth pillar that is Media.

The merit of the democratic system is that it gives freedom of expression and a space is given to each individual.

Whereas media is used to create awarenesd about various social, political and economic activities, media is like a mirror to the world which reflects the true and harsh realities of the world.

Because of media censorship in Tanzania, Erick Kabendera, an investigative reporter, paid a high price for his articles criticising the economy, the government and corruption, spending a total of seven months in prison after his arrest in July 2019. 

The court’s inability to stand up to the prosecutors, who changed the charges three times, sent a chilling message to journalists. 

The authorities displayed absolutely no concern about Azory Gwanda, a Tanzanian journalist who went missing in November 2017 while investigating the murders of local officials in a coastal region. 

Several months before, the authorities expelled two international press freedom defenders who had been investigating his disappearance. 

Nothing protected the media and journalists against the executive any more in Tanzania. 

The adoption of increasingly restrictive laws and regulations are also used in the war against independently reported news. 

New ones in 2020 banned publishing information about a “deadly or contagious disease” that had not been approved by the authorities, and reproducing content from foreign media without prior permission.

Some of the laws that have been used in recent years to stifle the right to freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom and silence critical voices are the Media Services Act, the Electronic and Postal Communications (Digital and Other Broadcasting Networks and Services) Regulations, Electronic and Postal Communications (Radio and Television Content) Regulations, and Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations.

Former South African President Jacob Zuma sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa 

South Africa's highest court found former President Jacob Zuma guilty of contempt of court and sentenced him to 15 months in prison on Tuesday, a landmark move in the country's long-running corruption saga.

The Constitutional Court of South Africa ordered that Zuma present himself at a police station in his home town of Nkandla or Johannesburg within five days.

In a scathing judgment, Justice Sisi Khampepe ruled: "There can be no doubt that Mr Zuma is in contempt of court."

The order stems from Zuma's refusal to appear at an anti-corruption commission to answer questions about his alleged involvement in corruption during his time as president. Zuma has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Judge Khampepe said that Zuma attempted to corrode the legitimacy of the Constitutional Court by conducting a "politically motivated smear campaign" against it, the commission and the judiciary.

"No person is above the law ... whatever his rank or condition," she said, continuing: "An act of defiance in respect of a direct judicial order has the potential to precipitate a constitutional crisis.

"If with impunity litigants are allowed to decide which orders they wish to obey, and which they wish to ignore, then our Constitution is not worth the paper on which it is written."

Zuma served as South Africa's President from 2009 to 2018.

King Mswati III reportedly flees country amid pro-democracy protests

MBABANE, Eswatini

King Mswati III of Eswatini has allegedly fled the kingdom after pro-democracy protests turned into chaos, South Africa’s SABC News has said.

“Details are still sketchy,” SABC News said on Tuesday.

On Monday evening, Eswatini’s leading chain store, OK Foods, situated in Matsapha, and other outlets, were set on fire as pro-democracy protests turned into chaos, bringing the first threat on a monarch who has ruled the landlocked southern Africa country with a free hand.

The country has been facing protests for several days in at least 10 different places, forcing the police to disperse protestors with tear gas and live ammunition, leading to injuries.

The Eswatini leader rules the country as an absolute monarch and he is the one who chooses the prime minister, ministers, judges and civil servants.

The protesters are calling for political reforms and want to elect their own prime minister. Political parties have been banned in the country since 1973.

“We demand multi-party democracy now,” protester Melusi Dlamini told News24.

“The time for the royal system characterised by dictatorship is over.”

The latest protests were sparked by a decree banning the delivery of petitions.

The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) on Monday said the King had fled in his private jet to an unknown destination.

"These allegations started after his jet was seen flying from Matsapha airport in the evening.

"Whatever the truth about the king’s whereabouts is, the situation on the ground in the country is extremely volatile as supermarkets and industrial plants have been set alight by unknown people while the army has already been deployed to control the situation. There are allegations that more than one bystander or protestor has already been killed by the army or the police," SSN spokesperson Lucky Lukhele said in a statement.

The Solidarity Network called on the international community to step in and play a pro-active role in minimising casualties.

"The Swazi issue should now be the top priority of the SADC. King Mswati and his cohorts should be held accountable for the mess that the country finds itself in," Lukhele added.

For many years, King Mswati III has been criticised for his lavish lifestyle and alleged human rights violations.

The polygamist with at least 15 wives and 23 children was selected to be the next King at the age of 14 and he was crowned King shortly after his 18th birthday in 1986. He has been in power since then.

On Friday last week, hundreds of young Swazi protesters clashed violently with police at a demonstration against the ruling authorities in Africa's last absolute monarchy. 

Shops were looted and one was set ablaze during the clashes in the township of Msunduza, near the capital Mbabane, with the unrest continuing into the night.

"Today we witnessed the anger of the Swazi youth against the autocratic system," said Wandile Dludlu, secretary-general of Swaziland United Democratic Front, an alliance of pro-democracy groups.

But last week, around 500 youths protested in the Manzini district, around 30 kilometres from the capital, demanding democracy.

The government had on Thursday last week banned protests, with National Police Commissioner William Dlamini warning that officers would be "zero-tolerant" of breaches of the ban.

The king, crowned in 1986 when he was just 18, has come under fire for his expensive tastes and spending while most inhabitants live below the poverty line.

In 2019, the country was rocked by a series of strikes by civil servants who accused the monarch of draining public coffers at the expense of his subjects.

SADC assigns $12M for deployment of standby force for Cabo Delgado in Mozambique

LUANDA, Angola 

The head of Angolan diplomacy on Monday in Luanda announced a budget of US$12 million (10 million euros) for the deployment of the SADC standby force in support of Mozambique.

Téte António, who was attending an extraordinary virtual meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), said at the end of the meeting that it was held as part of the fulfilment of a decision of the Maputo summit.

According to Angola’s foreign minister, the Council of Ministers, made up of foreign ministers, “was tasked with working on the budget of the force that should be operated to support Mozambique”.

He noted that the sources of funding for the force are made up of a contingency fund and contributions from the member states that participate in the force, which should also contribute between themselves with US$7 million (5.8 million euros).

The minister said it was also determined that, given the situation that many countries in the region are experiencing, recourse may be made to the organisation’s reserve fund, “to allow for no delays in the fulfilment of this mission”.

“As you know it is a question of survival of the region, the situation in Cabo Delgado is serious, the organisation has to deal with it immediately and it was determined the deadline for contributions is 9 July, but if there is a deficit of contributions from member states, we can resort to the reserve fund,” he said.

However, it was also established that in the event of recourse to the reserve fund, its replenishment “must not be made too late”.

“Because we cannot leave a region without a reserve and we don’t know how the situation may evolve, tomorrow we may resort to the same fund, so it is necessary that this fund is fed,” he added.

“One of the issues that our delegation raised is that [the situation in Mozambique] should serve as a lesson for the region, in the sense that we fine-tune our mechanisms so that when crises like that happen the region is not doing the same exercise of meetings and meetings to respond to it,” he said.

The head of Angolan diplomacy highlighted the mandatory nature of the contributions, as it is a matter of survival for the region.

“We all have to be aware that the region is under threat, with a crisis in Mozambique and we all have to respond promptly to this threat,” he said.

Over the next few days technical meetings of specialised sectors, namely defence and security, are scheduled to analyse practical issues, the minister said.

SADC is a sub-regional integration organisation made up of 16 member states, comprising Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, South Africa, Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana and Mozambique, which currently holds the rotating presidency.