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Swazi 'palace bomb' plotters die | Swazi 'palace bomb' plotters die |
(10 minutes later) | |
Two people about to plant a bomb in Swaziland near one of the royal palaces were killed when the device prematurely exploded, police say. | Two people about to plant a bomb in Swaziland near one of the royal palaces were killed when the device prematurely exploded, police say. |
They made the announcement late on Sunday after the results of parliamentary polls were released. | They made the announcement late on Sunday after the results of parliamentary polls were released. |
Political parties are banned in the tiny kingdom, one of the world's last absolute monarchies. | Political parties are banned in the tiny kingdom, one of the world's last absolute monarchies. |
Several union officials were detained ahead of Friday's polls as they took part in protests demanding reforms. | Several union officials were detained ahead of Friday's polls as they took part in protests demanding reforms. |
Some Swazis blame King Mswati III - who has been in power since 1986 - for plunging the country into poverty and failing to tackle an Aids epidemic. | Some Swazis blame King Mswati III - who has been in power since 1986 - for plunging the country into poverty and failing to tackle an Aids epidemic. |
Referendum call | Referendum call |
Police spokesman Vusi Masuku said a third man from neighbouring South Africa, who was also involved in the attempted attack on Saturday night, was arrested and will be tried for treason. | Police spokesman Vusi Masuku said a third man from neighbouring South Africa, who was also involved in the attempted attack on Saturday night, was arrested and will be tried for treason. |
The accomplices were trying to plant the bomb on a bridge near the royal household outside the capital, Mbabane. | The accomplices were trying to plant the bomb on a bridge near the royal household outside the capital, Mbabane. |
The BBC's Thulani Mtwethwa in the landlocked country says the election was the first held under a new constitution.Pro-democracy activists held protests earlier this month | The BBC's Thulani Mtwethwa in the landlocked country says the election was the first held under a new constitution.Pro-democracy activists held protests earlier this month |
He said there were a few surprises amongst the unaffiliated candidates chosen: two state radio announcers have become MPs and the health minister lost his seat. | He said there were a few surprises amongst the unaffiliated candidates chosen: two state radio announcers have become MPs and the health minister lost his seat. |
It was also the first poll where foreign observers were allowed in. | It was also the first poll where foreign observers were allowed in. |
The Southern African Development Community observers said the poll was "free and fair". | The Southern African Development Community observers said the poll was "free and fair". |
The mission's head congratulated the Swazi people as they embarked "on their gradual and challenging road for the entrenchment of democracy". | The mission's head congratulated the Swazi people as they embarked "on their gradual and challenging road for the entrenchment of democracy". |
But Mary Mugyenyi, head of the Pan-African Parliament observers, had concerns. | But Mary Mugyenyi, head of the Pan-African Parliament observers, had concerns. |
"The mission observed the following challenges: political parties were not permitted to contest in the elections. | "The mission observed the following challenges: political parties were not permitted to contest in the elections. |
"This restriction infringes on the rights of those citizens wishing to participate in elections through political parties and does not meet regional and international standards." | "This restriction infringes on the rights of those citizens wishing to participate in elections through political parties and does not meet regional and international standards." |
She recommended that a national referendum be held to ask the Swazi people whether they wanted party politics. | She recommended that a national referendum be held to ask the Swazi people whether they wanted party politics. |
Correspondents say the king remains popular with many of his subjects, though opposition has been growing to his lavish lifestyle in a country where most people live in poverty. | Correspondents say the king remains popular with many of his subjects, though opposition has been growing to his lavish lifestyle in a country where most people live in poverty. |
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