Public transport workers dance and chant political slogans in the Eswatini city of Manzini as they demand democratic reforms in the kingdom. AFP
Public transport workers dance and chant political slogans in the Eswatini city of Manzini as they demand democratic reforms in the kingdom. AFP
Public transport workers dance and chant political slogans in the Eswatini city of Manzini as they demand democratic reforms in the kingdom. AFP
Public transport workers dance and chant political slogans in the Eswatini city of Manzini as they demand democratic reforms in the kingdom. AFP

Eswatini protests subside as African mediation begins


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A ban on protests silenced Eswatini's pro-democracy movement on Friday, as regional mediators sought to resolve the deadly unrest in the kingdom.

Formerly known as Swaziland, Africa's last absolute monarchy has been rocked by demonstrations that prompted authorities to deploy the army and throttle the internet.

At least two people were killed and dozens injured in clashes with security forces, who fired tear gas, live rounds and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.

Mediators from the 16-nation Southern African Development Community met King Mswati III on Thursday.

"Images that are coming from Eswatini are very disturbing indeed, and we can see that the political temperature is very hot," Jeff Radebe, the head of the mediation team, told South Africa's public broadcaster.

Mr Radebe said the kingdom's "issues are very complex", and the team was "going there with an open mind, ensuring that we hear all views, so that at the end of the day the people of Eswatini... come up with a lasting solution".

After the government stopped issuing protest permits, shops reopened on Friday in the main cities of Mbabane and Manzini, with residents walking on the streets peacefully.

The government also restored internet links, two days after it had cut off most access.

But schools remained closed, and a strike by nurses entered its second day. The nurses are refusing to treat security officials after they stormed the largest government hospital in Mbabane.

The nurses' union accused security forces of shooting at staff tending to the injured and travelling to work for night shifts.

The government has dismissed reports of heavy-handed interventions as "unfounded".

We "have reports of injuries which we are still collating but no death," government secretary Sabelo Dlamini said.

He said security forces had been deployed to prevent damage to "lives and property" and protect citizens from "unruly protestors and anarchists".

Violent anti-monarchy protests erupted in June, fuelled by discontent over living conditions and lack of political freedom in the tiny southern African kingdom.

Anger was directed at King Mswati III, who flaunts a luxury lifestyle in one of the world's poorest countries.

The latest flare-up in demonstrations has run for more than two weeks, spearheaded by students, civil servants and transport workers.

At least 30 people have died since June in some of the worst unrest in Eswatini's history.

More protests, this time led by textile workers, are planned for Monday.

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Denmark 0-0 Ireland

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14/11/2017, World Cup qualifier

Denmark 0-0 Ireland

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Power: 190bhp

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MATCH INFO

Karnatake Tuskers 114-1 (10 ovs)

Charles 57, Amla 47

Bangla Tigers 117-5 (8.5 ovs)

Fletcher 40, Moores 28 no, Lamichhane 2-9

Bangla Tiger win by five wickets

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
  • George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
  • Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
  • Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
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Hunting park to luxury living
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  • Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds

 

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5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Fernando Jara (jockey), Irfan Ellahi (trainer).

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,400m​​​​​​​
Winner: AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.

6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,400m​​​​​​​
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Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Fernando Jara, Helal Al Alawi.

7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2.200m
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Results

Ashraf Ghani 50.64 per cent

Abdullah Abdullah 39.52 per cent

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 3.85 per cent

Rahmatullah Nabil 1.8 per cent

Updated: October 23, 2021, 5:13 AM