Eswatini’s main opposition party claims its leader was poisoned in an assassination attempt. It puts renewed scrutiny on the southern African country that is one of the last remaining absolute monarchies and has for years moved to quash pro-democracy movements.

Mlungisi Makhanya, 46, has been living in exile in neighbouring South Africa for the last two years, saying he fears for his life at home following a violent crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Africa's last remaining absolute monarchy.