Eswatini celebrates King Mswati III's 40-year reign

Eswatini celebrated King Mswati III's 40 years on the throne with public festivities on Friday, including marching bands and cheering crowds. The event highlighted the enduring reverence for the monarchy in sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute kingdom. However, the celebrations were held against a backdrop of ongoing criticism over the king's lavish lifestyle and high royal spending.