In late June 2021, pro-democracy protests broke out across the country, sparking riots, looting, and street skirmishes with police and soldiers. This civil unrest began as a result of years of anger towards the lack of meaningful reforms that would nudge Eswatini in the direction of democracy, and well as the government's reported banning of the submission of petitions. Numerous buildings said to be connected to King Mswati III were torched by protesters, and police have reportedly been assaulting and arresting political opponents. The ''New York Times'' called the turmoil in the landlocked nation, "the most explosive civil unrest in its 53 years of independence".