Eswatini has banned all protests to try to end pro-democracy demonstrations that have in recent weeks shaken the kingdom formerly known as Swaziland.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Prince Simelane told a news conference in the capital, Mbabane, on Thursday that following the ongoing tensions the government had decided not to issue permits to protesters.

Local media reported that activists and opposition groups had vowed to defy the ban.

The government announced the ban as envoys from the regional Southern African Development Community (Sadc) arrived in the country to try to stem the unrest.

Dozens of people have died in anti-government demonstrations since June.