Mswati III

Mswati III is the Ngwenyama, or King, of Eswatini. He serves as the head of the Swazi royal family. As an absolute monarch, he holds unrestricted political authority. This means he has the power to veto all branches of government. He also possesses constitutional immunity from prosecution. Mswati III is the last remaining absolute monarch in Africa. He is one of only twelve absolute monarchs left in the entire world.

The mechanism of his power is deeply integrated into the state. Mswati III acts as the commander-in-chief of the defense force. He is also the commissioner-in-chief of police and correctional services. He maintains influence over local government through traditional chiefs. While he appointed a Parliament, the system is not fully democratic. Two-thirds of the senators and ten deputies are appointed by him. Other members are elected by traditional chiefs who are close to power.

There are several distinct stages to his leadership and the country's identity. One major stage occurred in 2018 when he renamed the country. He changed the name from Swaziland to Eswatini. This change marked the 50th anniversary of the nation's independence. He chose Eswatini because it is the ancient, original name. This was intended to be a departure from the country's colonial past. In 2005, he also promulgated a new constitution. This document ended a state of emergency that had lasted since 1973.

The history of his reign began with his early life. Mswati III was born Makhosetive Dlamini on April 19, 1968. He was the son of King Sobhuza II and Queen Ntfombi. When Sobhuza II died on August 21, 1982, Mswati was only 14. The Great Council of State, known as the Liqoqo, selected him. He was introduced as crown prince in September 1983. He was officially crowned on April 25, 1986. At that time, he was the youngest reigning monarch in the world.

Economic significance in Eswatini is marked by a large gap in wealth. The country is predominantly rural and is one of the poorest in the world. In 2022, an estimated 32% of the population lived below the $2.15 per day poverty line. Furthermore, 55% of the population lived below the $3.65 per day line. In contrast, Mswati III lives an opulent and lavish lifestyle. In 2014, the national budget allocated $61 million for his annual household budget. The Forbes list reported his personal wealth at approximately $200 million in 2009.

There are notable examples of how his rules affect social life. In 2001, he used a traditional chastity rite called umcwasho. This rite was meant to help mitigate the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It encouraged Swazi maidens to abstain from sexual relations for five years. This period lasted from September 9, 2001, to August 19, 2005. However, the king faced criticism when he chose a 17-year-old royal fiancée shortly after. He also used his power to ban divorce and the wearing of miniskirts.

His leadership connects to broader themes of human rights and international relations. Critics and groups like Amnesty International have raised concerns about his regime. They point to the restriction of freedom of speech and assembly. There have been reports of arrests and the targeting of various groups. Pro-democracy protests have occurred since 2021. These protests have been met with violent dispersal by authorities. On the international stage, Mswati III maintains a relationship with Taiwan. He has visited Taiwan seventeen times as of June 2018. This relationship is significant because he recognizes Taiwan instead of the People's Republic of China.