Eswatini Marks Independence Day, King Mswati’s Birthday

Eswatini Wednesday celebrated both its 55th anniversary of its independence and the 55th birthday of King Mswati III. No current head of state of the regional group Southern African Development Community (SADC) attended the occasion. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing Wen was in attendance along with several former presidents of SADC countries. The opposition People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) says there is nothing to celebrate except 55 years of royal oppression. Government spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo tells VOA’s James Butty, Eswatini is rising from the ashes of colonial economic exploitation and political manipulation.