Eswatini - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Eswatini, it was the country name derives from 19th century King MSWATI II, under whose rule Swati territory was expanded and unified. The Government system in this country is the absolute monarchy type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 4 regions; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
National symbols
Lion, elephant; national colors: blue, yellow, red.
The flag
The National flag of Eswatini has three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally; blue stands for peace and stability, red represents past struggles, and yellow the mineral resources of the country; the shield, spears, and staff symbolize protection from the country's enemies, while the black and white of the shield are meant to portray black and white people living in peaceful coexistence.
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The National Anthem
| Title | "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi) |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT |
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note: adopted 1968; uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles
More about the government of Eswatini
| Date of Independence | 6 September 1968 (from the UK) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Independence Day (Somhlolo Day), 6 September (1968) |
| Legal system | mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt |
| Constitution | |
| History | Previous 1968, 1978; latest signed by the king 26 July 2005, effective 8 February 2006 |
| Amendments | Proposed at a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament; passage requires majority vote by both houses and/or majority vote in a referendum, and assent of the king; passage of amendments affecting "specially entrenched" constitutional provisions requires at least three-fourths majority vote by both houses, passage by simple majority vote in a referendum, and assent of the king; passage of "entrenched" provisions requires at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses, passage in a referendum, and assent of the king |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | both parents must be citizens of Eswatini |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 5 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) |
| Head of government | Prime Minister Russell DLAMINI (since 6 November 2023) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet recommended by the prime minister, confirmed by the monarch; at least one-half of the cabinet membership must be appointed from among elected members of the House of Assembly |
| Elections/appointments | the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among members of the House of Assembly |
| Legislative branch | |
| Description | Bicameral Parliament or Libandla consists of: Senate (30 seats; 20 members appointed by the monarch and 10 indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the House of Assembly; members serve 5-year terms) House of Assembly (70 seats statutory, current 69; 59 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies or tinkhundla by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed, 10 members appointed by the monarch, 4 women, one each representing each region, elected by the members if representation of elected women is less than 30%, and 1 ex-officio member - the attorney general; members serve 5-year terms) |
| Elections | Senate - last election held on 12 October 2023 , senate fully constituted on November 5 when monarch appointed remaining 20 senators; (next to be held in 2028) House of Assembly - last held on 29 September 2023 (next to be held in 2028)
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| Election results | Senate - percent of seats by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 16, women 14, percentage women 46.7% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 59; composition - men 58, women 16, percent of women 17.14%; total Parliament percentage women 28.8% |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and 4 justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters |
| Judge selection and term of office | Justices of the Supreme Court and High Court appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the chairman of the Civil Service Commission; justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75 |
| Subordinate courts | Magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens) |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Kennedy Fitzgerald GROENING (7 June 2022) |
| Chancery | 1712 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 234-5002 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 234-8254 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador (vacant) Chargé d’Affaires Caitlin PIPER (since 27 October 2023) |
| Embassy | Corner of MR 103 and Cultural Center Drive, Ezulwini, P.O. Box D202, The Gables, H106 |
| Mailing address | 2350 Mbabane Place, Washington DC 20521-2350 |
| Telephone | (268) 2417-9000 |
| FAX | [268] 2416-3344 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] Homepage - U.S. Embassy in Eswatini (usembassy.gov) |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Eswatini
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Eswatini
Want to know more about Eswatini? Check all different factbooks for Eswatini below.
