Eswatini,formally the Kingdom of Eswatini and also known by its former official name Swaziland and formerly the Kingdom of Swaziland,is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by Mozambique to its northeast and South Africa to its north,west,south,and southeast. At no more than 200 km (120 mi) north to south and 130 km (81 mi) east to west,Eswatini is one of the smallest countries in Africa;despite this,its climate and topography are diverse,ranging from a cool and mountainous highveld to a hot and dry lowveld.
Eswatini is an absolute monarchy with constitutional provisions and Swazi law and Custom. The head of state is the king or Ngwenyama,currently King Mswati III,who ascended to the throne in 1986 after the death of his father King Sobhuza II in 1982 and a period of regency. According to the constitution of Eswatini,the king and Ingwenyama is a symbol of unity and the eternity of the Swazi nation. By tradition,the king reigns along with his mother or a ritual substitute,the Ndlovukati. The former was viewed as the administrative head of state and the latter as a spiritual and national head of state,with real power counterbalancing that of the king,but during the long reign of Sobhuza II the role of the Ndlovukati became more symbolic. The king appoints the prime minister from the legislature and also appoints a minority of legislators to both chambers of Libandla (parliament),with help from an advisory council. The king is allowed by the constitution to appoint some members to parliament for special interests. These special interests are citizens who might have been left out by the electorate during the course of elections or did not enter as candidates. This is done to balance views in parliament. Special interests could be people of gender,race,disability,business community,civic society,scholars,chiefs and so on. The Senate consists of 30 members,of which some are appointed by the king on recommendation of the advisory council and others elected by the lower house. The House of Assembly has 65 seats,of which 55 are occupied by elected representatives from the 55 constituencies around the country,and 10 are appointed by the king on recommendation of the advisory council. The attorney general is the ex-officio member. Elections are held every five years.
Mswati III is Ngwenyama (King) of Eswatini and head of the Swazi royal family. He heads Africa’s last absolute monarchy,as he has veto power over all branches of government and is constitutionally immune from prosecution.
Absalom Themba Dlamini was the Prime Minister of Eswatini from November 2003 to September 2008. He is the managing director of Tibiyo Taka Ngwane.
The People's United Democratic Movement is the largest opposition party in Eswatini. It is a democratic socialist party. Formed in 1983 at the University of Eswatini,it is led by Mlungisi Makhanya.
Lobamba is a city in Eswatini,and is one of the two capitals,serving as the legislative,traditional,spiritual,seat of government of the Parliament of Eswatini,and Ludzidzini Royal Village,the residence of Queen Ntfombi,the Queen Mother.
Prince Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini was a Swazi politician who served as Prime Minister of Eswatini,from 1996 to 2003 and again from October 2008 to September 2018.
Inkhosikati LaShongwe was Queen regent of Eswatini between 21 August 1982 and 9 August 1983. She was a wife of king Sobhuza II of Eswatini,and with him had one child,Prince Khuzulwandle Dlamini.
Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku is a Swazi politician who has served as Deputy Prime Minister of Eswatini since 2018 and as Acting Prime Minister from 13 December 2020 to 16 July 2021. Earlier,he served as Deputy Prime Minister from 2008 until 2013.
Sibonelo Mngometulu,known as Inkhosikati LaMbikiza,is the third and senior wife of King Mswati III of Eswatini. Sibonelo married Mswati III in 1986,becoming the first wife he personally chose to marry,following two ceremonious marriages. She is the mother of Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini and Prince Lindani Dlamini.
Eswatini–India relations refers to the international relations that exist between Eswatini and India. India also maintains a resident High Commission in Mbabane established on 13 August,2019. Eswatini does not have a diplomatic mission in India.
Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini was a Swazi business executive who served as the tenth prime minister of Eswatini,holding the office from October 2018 until his death on 13 December 2020.
Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini is the union government created by the constitution of Eswatini where the monarch holds supreme executive,legislative,and judicial powers. The Ngwenyama (lion) is a hereditary leader,rules the country,with the assistance of a council of ministers and a national legislature.
Events in the year 2021 in Eswatini
A series of protests in Eswatini against the absolute monarchy and for democratisation began in late June 2021. Starting as a peaceful protest on 20 June,they escalated after 25 June into violence and looting over the weekend when the government took a hardline stance against the demonstrations and prohibited the delivery of petitions. Lower-level unrest and protests continued until summer 2023.
Events in the year 2022 in Eswatini
Events in the year 2023 in Eswatini
Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza is a Swazi politician and pro-democracy activist. Formerly a member of the House of Assembly of Eswatini,he was arrested during the 2021 protests,and in 2024 was sentenced to 25 years in prison on charges of terrorism,sedition,and murder,in a trial condemned by national and international human rights organisations.
