Mbeki to meet with King Mswati III

King Mswati III will be meeting with President Thabo Mbeki

President Thabo Mbeki is expected to meet with Swazi King Mswati III later tonight. It is believed that pro-democracy groups are putting pressure on Mbeki to raise the question of King Mswati's absolute rule and lack of reforms.

While Mbeki may raise the issue of democratic reforms and good governance, matters relating to bilateral cooperation will dominate the agenda.

Meanwhile, the Swazi monarch is expected to raise concern with Mbeki over Cosatu’s call for an economic blockade of the kingdom. Cosatu has pledged solidarity with the Swaziland trade union movement in demanding an end to Mswati's absolute monarchy rule. Swaziland has been under pressure over the past few years to introduce democratic reforms.