What is the capital of Eswatini?
Pronunciation | ay-swatini |
Country Name |
Eswatini Note: pronounced ay-swatini or eh-swatini |
Full Country Name | Kingdom of Eswatini |
Local - Long | Umbuso weSwatini |
Local - Short | eSwatini |
Former Name | Swaziland |
Etymology- history of name | The country name derives from 19th century King MSWATI II, under whose rule Swati territory was expanded and unified |
Government Type | Absolute monarchy |
Capital Name | Mbabane (administrative capital); Lobamba (royal and legislative capital) |
Capital - geographic coordinate | 26 19 S, 31 08 E |
Capital Time Difference | UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) |
Independence | 6 September 1968 (from the UK) |
National Holiday | Independence Day (Somhlolo Day), 6 September (1968) |
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 |
Who is the president of Eswatini?
Executive Branch: |
Chief of State: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) Head of Government: Prime Minister Russell Mmiso DLAMINI (since 3 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 |
Citizenship Criteria: |
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 |
Legal System: | Mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law |
Suffrage: | 18 years of age |
Legislative Branch: |
Description: Bicameral Parliament (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) Election results: Senate - percent of seats by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 17, women 13, percent of women 43% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 59; composition - men 58, women 12, percent of women 17.14%; note - total Parliament percent of women 4.1% |
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) |
Regions or States: | 4 regions; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni |
Political Parties and Leaders: |
Political parties exist but conditions for their operations, particularly in elections, are undefined, legally unclear, or culturally restricted; the following are considered political associations: African United Democratic Party or AUDP [Stanley S. MALINDZISA] Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Sibongile MAZIBUKO] People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mlungisi MAKHANYA] Swazi Democratic Party or SWADEPA [Jan SITHOLE] |
International Law Organization Participation: | Accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt |
International Organization Participation: | ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
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: embassy@eswatini-usa.com; swaziland@compuserve.com |
Diplomatic Representation from US: |
Chief of Mission: Ambassador (vacant) Charges 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: MBACONSULAR@state.gov https://sz.usembassy.gov/ |