Administrative divisions
4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni |
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Capital city > Geographic coordinates
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26 18 S, 31 06 E |
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Constitution
signed by the King in July 2005 went into effect on 8 February 2006 |
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Corruption
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2.7 |
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[105th of 160]
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Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address
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P. O. Box 199, Mbabane |
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Executive branch > Cabinet
Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch |
Executive branch > Chief of state
King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) |
Flag description
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 |
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Government type
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monarchy |
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Independence
6 September 1968 (from UK) |
Judicial branch
High Court; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch |
Legal system
based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations |
Legislative branch
bicameral Parliament or Libandla consists of the Senate (30 seats; 10 members appointed by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats; 10 members appointed by the monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; to serve five-year terms) |
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Parliamentary seats > Female
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3% |
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[122nd of 143]
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Political parties and leaders
the status of political parties, previously banned, is unclear under the new (2006) Constitution and currently being debated - the following are considered political associations; African United Democratic Party or AUDP [Stanley MAUNDZISA, president]; Imbokodvo National Movement or INM; Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Obed DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president] |
Political pressure groups and leaders
Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions; Swaziland and Solidarity Network or SSN |
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Status
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absolute monarchy |
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Suffrage
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18 years of age |
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Time required to start a business > days
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61 days
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[35th of 171]
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Transnational Issues > Disputes > International
in 2006, Swazi king advocates resort to ICJ to claim parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africa |
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