Created: 2008-09-18 20:23:38

Swaziland is one of the world's last absolute monarchies. Political parties are forbidden there, and the parliamentarians are being picked by the king himself.

However, majority of Swazi people live very poorly, and recently protests started against king's power. The Swazi want to have multi-party democracy. But the protests are banned, and activists are arrested by police.

Great democratic challenge is the first-ever parliamentary election in September. Supporters of democracy do not think elections are fair and free, and require more changes in recently updated constitution.

Will pro-democracy ambitions finally end-up with new, democratic Swaziland? Or king's power is unbeatable?