King of eSwatini appoints new PM as anti-monarchy protests flare

In his first remarks on the protests, the king calls them ‘satanic’ and says they have taken the country backwards.

The king of eSwatini has appointed a new prime minister, ignoring calls for democratic reforms as police cracked down on protests. In his first public address since violent demonstrations broke out in the kingdom last month, King Mswati III announced that former pension fund boss Cleopas Dlamini would replace Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini, who died in December after contracting COVID-19. “I have prayed that I have a man that would bring the country to normalcy, restore the country and resuscitate the economy,” Mswati told crowds gathered on Friday at the Ludzidzini Royal Palace, around 20km (12.4 miles) south of the capital Mbabane.