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