Governance system in Eswatini – World Countries for Kids
Eswatini is a monarchy presently reigned by King Mswati III. The king exercises final authority over all branches of the national government and controls local governance by virtue of his influence over traditional chiefs. Political dissention and civic and labor activism invite harsh punishment under sedition and other laws. Additional human rights problems include discrimination against women and LGBT+ people and impunity with which abuses are committed by security forces.
The king being the chief executive authority is authorized to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and members of the cabinet. Mswati III took the throne in 1986, four years after the demise of his father, King Sobhuza II. PM is ostensibly the head of government but has negligible power in practice. The position is occupied typically by members of the ruling Dlamini clan, and is presently held by Russell Mmiso Dlamini, the former head of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA). Dlamini was appointed by the King Mswati at the close of the Isibaya (a traditional gathering where citizens express their opinions to the king and his advisors), that was convened post the September 2023 parliamentary elections.
The 73-member House of Assembly (the lower chamber of the bicameral Parliament) has 59 members elected by popular vote but within the Tinkhundla system, which lets local chiefs to vet candidates and impact outcomes in practice; the king appoints 10 members. If female representation is less than 30 percent of the lower house, an additional four women may be elected by the body. The king appoints 2/3rd members of the 30-seat Senate, the upper chamber, and the remainder 1/3rd of its members are selected by the House of Assembly.
Parliamentary elections were held in September 2023, the ninth one since the Tinkhundla political system was introduced in 1978. AU sent election observer mission endorsed the elections and said they were conducted peacefully but suggested a review of the legislation that prohibits the participation of political parties.
Even though parties cannot legally register and take part in elections, some political associations exist sans legal recognition. The Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO) and Sive Siyinqaba National Movement allowed their members to individually take part in the 2023 elections, but other political associations boycotted the elections.
The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) is not regarded as impartial. It is administratively and financially dependent on the executive, and its members are appointed by the king on the advice of JSC (the Judicial Service Commission), whose members are also royal appointees.