World Factbook
Eswatini
Umbuso weSwatini
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple-width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow, with a large black-and-white shield in the center that covers two horizontal spears and a staff with feather tassels meaning: blue stands for peace and stability, red for past struggles, and yellow for the mineral resources of the country; the shield, spears, and staff symbolize protection from enemies, and the shield colors stand for ethnic groups living in peaceful coexistence
Capital
name
Mbabane (administrative capital); Lobamba (royal and legislative capital)
etymology
the origin of the name is unclear; it may come from the Mbabane River next to the city, whose name is said to derive from the word lubabe , a type of shrub; another theory cites a local chief, Mbabane KUNENE, as the source of the name
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
26 19 S, 31 08 E
Suffrage
18 years of age
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
Constitution
history
previous 1968, 1978; latest signed by the king 26 July 2005, effective 8 February 2006
amendment process
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
Country name
note
note: pronounced ay-swatini or eh-swatini
former
Swaziland
etymology
the country name derives from 19th century King MSWATI II, under whose rule Swati territory was expanded and unified
local long form
Umbuso weSwatini
local short form
eSwatini
conventional long form
Kingdom of Eswatini
conventional short form
Eswatini
Independence
6 September 1968 (from the UK)
Legal system
mixed system of civil, common, and customary law
Government type
absolute monarchy
Judicial branch
note
note: the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters
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)
subordinate courts
magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens)
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
Executive branch
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
chief of state
King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)
head of government
Prime Minister Russell DLAMINI (since 6 November 2023)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among members of the House of Assembly
National holiday
Independence Day (Somhlolo Day), 6 September (1968)
National color(s)
blue, yellow, red
Political parties
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 Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO Swazi Democratic Party or SWADEPA
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament (Libandla)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (O God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi)
history
adopted 1968; uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles
lyrics/music
Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT
National symbol(s)
lion, elephant
National coat of arms
the national coat of arms was adopted in 1968 after independence from the United Kingdom; two national symbols, the lion (representing the king of Eswatini) and the elephant (representing the queen mother), support a traditional Nguni shield; above the shield is the king's lidlabe , or crown of feathers, and at the bottom is Eswatini's motto, Siyinqaba , or "We are the fortress”
Administrative divisions
4 regions; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
Legislative branch - lower chamber
note
note: four women, one representing each region, elected by the members if representation of elected women is less than 30%
chamber name
House of Assembly
term in office
5 years
number of seats
74 (59 directly elected; 4 indirectly elected; 10 appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
9/29/2023
expected date of next election
September 2028
percentage of women in chamber
21.6%
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate
term in office
5 years
number of seats
30 (10 indirectly elected; 20 appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
11/6/2023
expected date of next election
November 2028
percentage of women in chamber
46.7%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 234-8254
chancery
1712 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone
[1] (202) 234-5002
chief of mission
Ambassador Kennedy Fitzgerald GROENING (7 June 2022)
email address and website
swaziland@compuserve.com
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[268] 2416-3344
embassy
Corner of MR 103 and Cultural Center Drive, Ezulwini, P.O. Box D202, The Gables, H106
telephone
(268) 2417-9000
mailing address
2350 Mbabane Place, Washington DC 20521-2350
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant) Chargé d’Affaires Marc WEINSTOCK (since August 2025)
email address and website
ConsularMbabane@state.gov Homepage - U.S. Embassy in Eswatini (usembassy.gov)
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
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt