Swaziland protesters reject ban

The Swaziland Democratic Alliance, which includes civic groups, opposition parties, students and trade unionists, says it will announce a programme of action to win the release of a detained opposition politician - despite a government declaration that its planned press conference is illegal.

An Alliance representative, Jan Sithole, said the protesters were prepared to pay any price for freedom.

The detained politician, Mario Masuku, of the People's United Democratic Movement is facing charges of sedition - which in Swaziland can be punished by up to 20 years in jail.

Mr Sithole said Mr Masuku had been detained because of the views he was expressing, which were not treasonous by international standards.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service