Africa & Middle East · reference
🇸🇿 Eswatini
Absolute monarchy
SystemAbsolute monarchy
Head of stateKing Mswati III (Ngwenyama), reigning since 1986
Head of governmentPrime Minister Russell Dlamini, appointed by the king
LegislatureParliament · a House of Assembly of 59 elected and 10 appointed members plus an appointed Senate, with parties barred from contesting
ElectionsIndividual candidates are elected through the tinkhundla system but political parties are banned from elections and the king holds ultimate power
Last election2023-09-29 · non-partisan House of Assembly election
Next election2028 · parliamentary election due
Africa's last absolute monarchy saw unprecedented pro-democracy protests in 2021 that were suppressed with dozens of deaths, and prominent activists have since been jailed or killed. The king appoints the prime minister, cabinet and part of parliament, and royal spending contrasts with widespread poverty. Eswatini is one of the few states that recognises Taiwan.
Live encyclopedic leader and election records · verified 2026-07-02
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