Eswatini
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2023-05-09 16:49:09
Eswatini
Eswatini
The Kingdom of Eswatini (English: Eswatini for short) is a landlocked country in southern Africa. It is surrounded by South Africa in the north, west and south, neighboring Mozambique in the east. The capital is Mbabane. The country is divided into four regions, with a land area of 17363 square kilometers and a population of 1.15 million (2019, United Nations data), of which 90% are Swazi, 6% are Zulu and Tonga, and 2% are white, The rest are of mixed European and African race.
In the late 15th century, Eswatini people gradually migrated south from Central Africa and East Africa. In the 16th century, they settled here and established a kingdom. After 1907, it became a "protected area" in Britain. On September 6, 1968, it declared independence and named itself the Kingdom of Eswatini. King Sobhuza II had been in power for 61 years and died in August 1982. The Queen Zeriver was regent. In 1983, the "Royal Council" appointed Prince Cosetive as the Crown Prince, who was regent by Queen Entombi, the mother of the Crown Prince. On April 25, 1986, Crown Prince Makosetiwe ascended the throne and became known as Mswati III.
Eswatini is the only country in southern Africa that still prohibits political parties from participating in elections, and one of the few countries in the world that still practices an absolute monarchy. In 2021, Eswatini's GDP will be 4.9 billion US dollars, with a per capita GDP of 4188 US dollars, and the GDP growth rate will be 1.4%， sports fitness .
Chinese name: Kingdom of Eswatini Foreign name English: Kingdom of Eswatini is abbreviated to Mbabane, the African capital of Swaziland, National Day, September 6, 1968, country code, SWZ, official language, Swazi, English currency, Lilangi time zone, UTC+2, political system, absolute monarchy, national leader Mswati III (king) Cleopas Dlamini (Prime Minister) has a population of 1.15 million (2019) and a population density of 67.5 people/km2 (2020). The main ethnic groups are Swazi, Zulu and Tonga. The main religions are Protestantism and Catholicism, with a land area of 17363 km ² Water area ratio 0.9% GDP Total $4.9 billion (2021) GDP per capita $4188 (2021) international call area code 268 Abbreviation of international domain name. sz Road traffic Stay left driving national motto "We are an unbreakable fortress" Major universities Eswatini University
Historical evolution
In the late 15th century, the people of Eswatini gradually migrated south from Central Africa and East Africa.
Settled here in the 16th century and established a kingdom.
After 1907, it became a "protected area" in Britain.
On September 6, 1968, it declared independence, named the Kingdom of Eswatini, and Sobza was the king.
Sobhuza II died in August 1982, and was regent of the Queen Zelivi.
In 1983, the "Royal Council" appointed Prince Cosetive as the Crown Prince, who was regent by Queen Entombi, the mother of the Crown Prince.
On April 25, 1986, Crown Prince Makosetiwe ascended the throne and became known as Mswati III. Eswatini is the only country in southern Africa that still prohibits political party activities, and one of the few countries in the world that still practices absolute monarchy.
National elections were held in October 1993. Since the general election was conducted in accordance with the "Tinker Hendra" traditional election law (also known as the tribal residential area election law) implemented in 1992, it was strongly opposed by the The Advocate of the "multi-party system", and protests once rose one after another.
Since 1996, the Eswatini Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) has launched several large-scale national strikes, and put forward political requirements such as lifting the party ban and realizing the democratization process. King S established a constitutional amendment committee to ease the situation. But since then, the constitutional amendment work originally scheduled to be completed by the end of 1999 has been postponed.
In October 2002, the Constitution Drafting Committee submitted a new draft constitution to the King, which still did not include the lifting of the party ban and the implementation of constitutional monarchy. [2] On April 19, 2018, Mswati III announced to the world in his founding speech (also his 50th birthday celebration) that he would change the name of his country, Swaziland, the Kingdom of Eswatini, to Eswatini (Taiwan called "Swatini").
geographical environment
Regional location
Eswatini is a small landlocked country in southeast Africa, surrounded by South Africa in the north, west and south, and neighboring Mozambique in the east. The total land area is 17363 square kilometers.
topographic features
Eswatini is located on the east slope of the Drakens Mountains on the southeast edge of the South African Plateau. From east to west, it gradually rises from an altitude of 100 meters to 1800 meters, forming a roughly equal three tiered zone of low, medium, and high areas.
Climatic characteristics
Eswatini has a subtropical climate, with an annual average temperature of 16 ℃ in the west and 22.2 ℃ in the east.
Water system distribution
There are five main rivers in Eswatini, which are rich in water resources. After flowing through Swaziland, the rivers enter South Africa and Mozambique.
natural resources
Eswatini is rich in natural resources, mainly including asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, and a small amount of gold and diamond reserves. The forest area is 541000 hectares, accounting for approximately 31.5% of the total area. There are 5 main rivers within the territory, with abundant hydraulic resources. After flowing through Sri Lanka, the rivers enter South Africa and Mozambique.
administrative division
Zoning
The country is divided into four districts: Shiselweni, Lubombo, Manzini, and Hhohho.
capital
Mbabane has a population of approximately 100000. The hottest month from January to February is 15-25 ℃; The coldest temperature in June is 5-19 ℃. January is the wettest with an average monthly precipitation of 252 millimeters; June is the driest with an average monthly precipitation of 18 millimeters.
National symbols
national flag
The national flag of Eswatini was launched in 1968. The national flag is rectangular, and the ratio of length to width is 3:2. The center of the flag is a purple red horizontal rectangle, with yellow narrow edges and blue wide edges at the top and bottom. In the center of the purplish red rectangle is painted a pattern similar to the shield in the national emblem of Eswatini. Purple red symbolizes countless battles in history, yellow represents rich mineral resources, and blue symbolizes peace.
national emblem
The national emblem of Eswatini is in the form of a shield. In the center of the national emblem are four bull fighting symbols: a black and white shield, two spears and a staff decorated with tassels. The tassel made of bird feathers is a unique decoration of the royal family. The headdress of the king at the top of the shield is made of otter skin and adorned with the tail feathers of a weaver bird. On both sides of the coat of arms stand the country's main wild animals, the lion and the elephant. The lion is the symbol of the king. Eswatini calls the king "Ngevinyama", which means "lion"; The elephant represents the queen. Eswatini people love their monarch and royal family as they love the mountains and rivers of their motherland. Lions and elephants also symbolize the strength and unity of a country. On the white ribbon at the base of the national emblem is inscribed the oath of the people of Eswatini: "We are an unbreakable fortress."
national anthem
The National Anthem of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Main idea of lyrics: Oh, God, please give happiness to the God of Eswatini. Thank you for all the luck you have given us. Let's sing praises to our emperor, our motherland and the mountains and rivers. Bless the people in power in Eswatini. You are the only Almighty God; Please give us wisdom, but there is no need for deceit; Consolidate and strengthen us, O Eternal God.
Population and ethnicity
1.15 million (2019, United Nations data). Among them, the Swais make up 90%, the Zulu and Tonga make up 6%, the white make up 2%, and the rest are of mixed European and African race.
Politics
political situation
The political situation in Eswatini has been relatively stable, but the domestic unstable factors increased in 2000. Mass demonstrations have been rising one after another, demanding another climax in the democratization process. At the beginning of the year, the Eswatini Observer was forcibly closed by the government because it published articles revealing the government's inside story and refused to hand over the information provider. The press has been fighting against the government for two months to protect media freedom. In October, the royal family caused dissatisfaction and righteous indignation among the Sri Lankan people due to the issue of land tenure at the border, triggering a nationwide movement for democratization. In mid November, organized by the Sri Lanka Federation of Trade Unions, Sri Lanka University, the National Teachers' Association, the Sri Lanka Suburban Committee, and some political groups held a national strike, market strike, and class strike. The government dispatched a large number of police officers for armed intervention, several union leaders were arrested, many protesters were injured and killed, and the university was closed. The United States, Britain and other countries have exerted economic pressure on the Sri Lankan government to amend the current Industrial Relations Law. King S sent the Prime Minister to mediate in the United States, and the crisis has ended and the situation is basically stable. In 2001, the overall political situation in Sri Lanka remained stable. 3. In April, the call for multi-party democracy rose again. After the Sri Lankan government banned mass rallies convened by the Sri Lankan Teachers' Association (SNAT) and Nurses' Association at the end of 2000, the Sri Lankan Federation of Trade Unions continued to mobilize labor unrest, demanding that the government lift party bans and implement multi-party democracy. In May, the government seized two news publications, "National" and "Defender", further sparking conflicts. Trade unions are calling on the international community to cancel aid to Sri Lanka in order to exert pressure on the King of Sri Lanka. In June, the Supreme Court made a decision in favor of the opposition, and the king issued a decree stating that the authority to prohibit the distribution of newspapers, magazines, and books no longer belonged to the court, and that any statement against the king was illegal and non bail. But under international pressure, the king was forced to cancel the decree. After the 9/11 incident, the king took advantage of the international community's busy "counter-terrorism" efforts to increase pressure on the opposition.
In February 2006, the new constitutional law of Sri Lanka was officially promulgated and implemented, which still maintained the absolute power of the king over Sri Lanka's judicial, administrative, and parliamentary affairs. The vague expression of the legalization of political parties caused great dissatisfaction among Sri Lankan civil society. Some democratic progressive forces believe that the new constitution violates public opinion and strongly demands the opening of party bans. In recent years, strikes, marches, and petitions against the government and democracy have occurred, but none of them have shaken the power of the royal family. In May 2008, the Sri Lankan government arrested the Chairman of the People's United Democratic Movement, Masuku, on counter-terrorism grounds and threatened to dismiss civil servants involved in progressive activities. In September, Sri Lanka held its first parliamentary election after the implementation of the new constitution, which was boycotted by most progressive forces. The king appointed a new cabinet after the election. In recent years, numerous large-scale demonstrations have erupted, demanding the abdication of the king, lifting party bans, and restoring power to the people.
constitution
The old constitution was formulated in October 1978, stipulating that Sri Lanka is a country free from racial discrimination, regardless of color or creed, equal to all, and enjoying freedom and justice; Inviolability of private property; Prohibit all political party activities; The king is the head of state with supreme power, and his executive power is exercised through a cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister. The new constitution came into effect in February 2006, providing for the protection of judicial independence, the protection of human rights, freedom of speech, and association, but did not fundamentally address the lifting of party bans or the absolute power of the king over judicial, administrative, and parliamentary affairs. The king can still veto laws, dissolve parliament, appoint and dismiss Prime Minister, Cabinet, and some members of both houses of parliament according to his own will.
parliament
It is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives, with a term of 5 years. Its functions are limited to debating government proposals and providing advice to the king. This parliament was elected in September 2018. There are currently 30 members of the Senate, of which 20 are appointed by the king and 10 are elected by members of the House of Representatives. There are 66 members of the House of Representatives, of which 10 are appointed by the king and 56 are elected.
government
This government was established in November 2018. The main members of the Cabinet are: Cleopas Dlamini, Prime Minister, who will take office in July 2021; Themba Masuku, Deputy Prime Minister; Neil Reikenburg, Minister of Finance; Manqoba Khumalo, Minister of Commerce and Trade; Pholile Dlamini, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Princess Sikhanyiso, Minister of Communications and Technology, Peter Bhembe, Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Princess Lindiwe, Minister of the Interior, Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, Minister of Public Works and Transport, and Prince Simelane, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Thuli Dladla, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Lizzy Nkosi, Minister of Health, Harris Madze Bulunga, Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Moses Vilakati, Minister of Tourism and Environment Affairs, Jabulani Mabuza, Minister of Agriculture, David Ngcamphalala, Minister of Traditional Governance and Development, Howard Mabuza, Minister of Education and Training, Phila Buthelezi, Minister of Labor and Social Security, Mabulala Maseko, Minister of Public Service, Tambo Gina, Minister of economic planning and Development.
judicial
Implement a dual legal system of Roman Dutch law and traditional customary law. The judiciary is composed of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court (formerly the Court of Appeal), the High Court, the District Court, and the Swaziland (Chief) Court. The Constitutional Court has the final ruling power over the judgments of the above two court systems. The Swaziland Court is only responsible for hearing civil and criminal cases in the jurisdiction of the Chief.
Political dignitaries
King Mswati III. The original name is Makhosetive, which means "king of all races". Born in Mbabane on April 19, 1968, he was the 67th son of the late King Sobhuza II and the only son of Queen Entombi. Elected as Crown Prince in 1983, he then went to England to study. Ascended the throne on April 25, 1986.
Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini. Born on May 15, 1942. From 1984 to 1993, he served as the Minister of Finance and also served at the International Monetary Fund. Served as Prime Minister of Eswatini from July 26, 1996 to September 29, 2003. After the end of the first Prime Minister's term in 2003, he served as an advisor to the king. From October 16, 2008, he served as Prime Minister again.
Economics
overview
The per capita GDP of Sri Lanka ranks among the top countries in sub Saharan Africa and is classified as a lower middle-income country by the World Bank. Adhering to a free market economy, valuing the use of private and foreign capital, and encouraging exports. The economy has a high degree of openness, and exports are mainly agricultural products. Economic growth is greatly affected by climate conditions and changes in the international market. In the late 1980s, the economy of Sri Lanka developed rapidly, with an annual GDP growth rate of 7.8%. In the 1990s, the economy experienced a decline, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%. In 2003, a new economic growth strategy was launched, which not only increased income but also reduced expenses, while striving to promote agricultural development, ensure food security, and achieve diversified crop cultivation. The Sri Lankan economy heavily relies on South Africa, with limited room for maneuver, a single export commodity, uneven development, and a significant gap between the rich and poor in society.
