But the kingdom’s pro-democracy groups say the country’s absolute monarch should not be allowed to lead the regional body.

They argue the king’s administration continuously violates the fundamental rights of citizens by preventing freedom of speech and association.

King Mswati recently told an SADC parliamentary forum that the kingdom’s monarchical democracy — which his administration established — was “a new democratic ideology that works.

“Political parties are banned from participating in elections organised by the Swaziland Electoral Commission — the only institution mandated to organise official polls in the southern African kingdom,” reported Voice of America.

Mario Masuku, leader of the banned People’s United Democratic Movement, a pro-democracy group, said King Mswati’s imminent chairmanship of the regional body makes a mockery of the tenets of democracy.

“It is a shame for SADC to have a chairman of the character and calibre of King Mswati, who is an absolute monarch who does not respect the fundamental rights of people, and who does not respect the international norms of democracy,” Masuku said.

However, supporters of the administration say it is a source of pride for Swazis for King Mswati to assume the rotating chairmanship of the SADC.

They also say violence carried out by pro-democracy groups has undermined peace and security in the country, reported VOA.

--ANA--