Mswati III

Mswati III, born on April nineteenth, nineteen sixty-eight, is the Ngwenyama, or King, of Eswatini and the head of the Swazi royal family. As the last remaining absolute monarch in Africa, he wields unrestricted political authority and possesses veto power over all branches of government, enjoying constitutional immunity from prosecution. Alongside his mother, Queen Ntfombi, he stands as one of only twelve absolute monarchs globally.

Under the constitution, Mswati serves as the commander-in-chief of the defense force and the commissioner-in-chief of police and correctional services. His influence extends to local governance, where he effectively controls traditional chiefs. However, political dissent and civic activism face severe repercussions, with laws against sedition leading to harsh punishments for those who oppose the regime.

In two thousand eighteen, Mswati made a significant decree, renaming the country from Swaziland to Eswatini. Since two thousand twenty-one, pro-democracy protests have erupted, met with violent dispersals and the arrest of political activists. This unrest highlights the growing discontent among the populace.

Despite his royal status, Mswati's opulent lifestyle starkly contrasts with the living conditions of many Emaswazi people. In two thousand twenty-two, it was estimated that thirty-two percent of the population lived below the international poverty line of two dollars and fifteen cents per day, while fifty-five percent fell under the lower-middle-income poverty line of three dollars and sixty-five cents per day. The government maintains strict control over the media landscape, with nearly all outlets, including the only privately owned TV channel, being directly or indirectly controlled by Mswati III.