Eswatini: Clashes ongoing amid protest in Mbabane Oct. 20 /update 2

Event

Clashes between protesters and police are ongoing in Mbabane as of the afternoon of Oct. 20. Police have reportedly used live ammunition and tear gas against participants on their way to a planned protest led by the Public Servants Associations (PSA). The exact location of the clashes is unconfirmed, but reports indicate they are occurring in multiple areas, as well as in the Nkoyoyo area. Unconfirmed reports indicate that casualties have occurred among participants.

Police will likely remain deployed to disperse protesters over the coming hours. Transport disruptions are likely to persist in the vicinity of all protests. Clashes may persist through Oct. 20, especially if protesters refuse police orders to disperse.

Advice

Avoid demonstration venues as a routine security precaution. Keep away from any areas where security forces appear to be deploying; leave the area at the first sign of any confrontation. Allow extra time to reach destinations until any protests have concluded.