THE government of Swaziland, renamed Eswatini, has insisted that King Mswati III has not fled the country, imposing a dusk-to-dawn curfew in a bid to curb democracy protests.

Streets have been barricaded and tyres set ablaze in the largest city, Manzini, and the central town of Matsapha in the most serious unrest seen in the southern African nation for decades.

Protesters are demanding a lift on the ban on political parties that has been in place since 1973 and for serious democratic reforms in the country, which is Africa’s last absolute monarchy.

Marches and rallies have been held in most major towns and cities in defiance of a government-imposed ban, with security services opening fire on them with live bullets.

Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku announced the imposition of the curfew in a statement on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, the protests we are seeing of late have been hijacked by criminal elements. Such cannot be acceptable under any circumstances,” he said, without specifying details.

Mr Masuku denied rumours that the autocratic monarch had fled due to the unrest.

“His Majesty King Mswati III is in the country and continues to lead in working with the government to advance the kingdom’s goals,” he said, appealing for calm.

The democracy protests have been spearheaded by young people and supported by trade unionists and communists.

The Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS) called on “the army and police of Swaziland to refrain from all acts of violence and intimidation,” saying that the people were “fighting a just struggle for freedom.”

“Swaziland is now at a crucial point in the long struggle to get rid of the autocratic monarchy. The people, particularly the youth, have had enough. This is the tipping point,” it said in a statement today.

Sakhile Nxumalo of the Swaziland Youth Congress said:“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.”