SWAZI ELECTIONS: A PRIMER ON POLITICAL PARTIES

UNCLAS MBABANE 000193


AF/S (MNAYLOR)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KDEM, WZ
SUBJECT: SWAZI ELECTIONS: A PRIMER ON POLITICAL PARTIES

REF MBABANE 000159

1. SUMMARY: In 2008 the Kingdom of Swaziland will elect its first
Parliament under its 2006 Constitution. The government's stance is
that political parties are legal, but one must contest for political
office as an individual, not as a member of a political party.
Despite this ban, there are five active political parties in
Swaziland. They include: African United Democratic Party (AUDP),
Inhlava Forum, Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC),People's
United Democratic Movement of Swaziland (PUDEMO),and Sive
Siyinqaba, also known as Sibahle Sinje. Below is a brief
description of each. END SUMMARY.

AUDP

2. Established in 2005, AUDP is led by President Stanley Malindzisa
and Secretary General Sibusiso Dlamini. AUDP is participating in
the election. Their stance is to win seats in parliament and
influence policy and law from within the tinkhundla system.

INHLAVA FORUM

3. Founded in 2006 by Mfomfo Nkambule, they declared themselves a
political party in 2007. Nkambule serves as its president and also
represents the Mtfongwaneni region in Parliament. The party
emphasizes the need for a more defined separation of powers between
the monarchy, legislature, judiciary, and the King. They advocate
for a new constitution that would require more public consultation
by government institutions and would maintain the monarchy while
removing complete executive authority. Inhlava pays special
attention to the failing national health care system in its
criticism of the government. Their main concern at the moment is the
rehabilitation of the Swazi economy by securing a degree of economic
liberalization. They estimate a membership of 100-150 people.

4. Inhlava is boycotting the elections but has decided to
participate in voter registration as a tactic to engage citizens
they feel would otherwise not be open to their message because of
the party's non-participation in the electoral process.

NNLC

5. The NNLC was established in February 1963 and is currently led
by Dr. Alvit Dlamini. It began as a Pan-African revolutionary
movement and jointly negotiated independence from Britain in 1968
along with the Imbokodvo party of King Sobhuza. It represented the
first practical parliamentary opposition in 1972. The party was
later banned in 1973 and one of its members, Bhekindlela Ngwenya,
was deported under the pretense that he was not a Swazi. Others
were detained under a renewable sixty day detention order, while its
leader Dr. Ambrose Zwane went to Tanzania in exile. The party was
reestablished in 1998. In 2003 then party leader Obed Dlamini was
elected into parliament.

6. Ideologically, NNLC believes in a free market economy, but one
that places human welfare above economic goals. They see the state
as being responsible for public welfare; advocate for a
constitutional monarchy with a bill of rights; and promote the
traditional principles of democracy: transparency, accountability,
and good governance. They are believed to have five party members
sitting in parliament.

7. The party refuses to participate in this year's elections unless
it is contested under a multi-party system. Vocal proponents of a
boycott, they have petitioned the Ministry of Justice and
Constitutional Affairs to stop the elections from going forward
until the present ban on political party involvement is removed.

PUDEMO

8. Founded by university students in July 1983 after the death of
King Sobhuza II, PUDEMO's goal was to reinstate the Queen Regent
Dzeliwe, who had been removed by the Liqoqo (Supreme Council of
State) that governed after the king's death. Led by President Mario
Masuku, the group is perhaps the most radical political party,
rejecting the current system of government outright. They have
aligned themselves with Coalition of South African Trade Unions
(COSATU) and the ANC in South Africa.

9. The party preamble states that they are a democratic,
non-racial, non-sexist political movement committed to the creation,
protection, and promotion of a constitutional multi-party democracy,
a transparent and accountable government, and an environment
conducive to growth and development. PUDEMO vehemently opposes the
current constitution and strongly supports boycotting the
elections.

SIVE SINYINQABA (SIBAHLE SINJE)

10. Sive Siyinqaba was formed in 1996. At the time, Swaziland
Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) was pressuring the GKOS to
democratize by organizing politically motivated mass stay-aways,
disguised as labor mass stay-aways because political activities were
banned. To counteract SFTU, Sive Siyinqaba, meaning "Formidable
Nation or a Fortress," formed as a cultural group to protect the
monarchy and preserve Swazi culture and tradition. They also go by
Sibahle Sinje, literally meaning "we are beautiful as we are and
therefore we do not need a change."

11. Initially thought to be an unofficial extension of the former
ruling Imbokodvo party (the King's party until 1973, when he
declared political parties illegal),Sive is a vocal critic of bad
governance, corruption, and the current lack of financial
accountability. It commands a large following, particularly among
traditionalists, and has an estimated 36 members in parliament, six
members in the cabinet, and many other senior government officials
as members.

12. Declaring itself a political party in 2007, Sive has an active
website and in late May ran ads in both national newspapers calling
on potential parliamentary candidates to register with the
organization and help develop a campaign strategy.

PARKER