Swaziland
Conventional Long Form Name of country: Kingdom of Swaziland Capital City: Mbabane Type of Government: Monarchy Date of Independence: 6 September 1968 (from the U.K) National Holidays: Independence Day, 6 September (1968) Chief of State: King Mswati III Head of State: Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini Description of Executive Branch/Powers: There are no elections, the monarch is hereditary. The Prime Minister is selected by the monarch from the House of Assembly. Description of Legislative Branch/Powers: Bicameral Parliament or Libandla consists of the Senate which has 30 seats; 10 members elected by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; members to serve five-year terms. The House of Assembly which has 65 seats; 10 members appointed by the monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; members to serve five-year terms. Description of Judicial Branch/Powers: The Supreme Court of the Judicature comprising the Supreme Court, consisting of the chief justice and at least 5 justices, and the High Court, consisting of the chief justice - ex officio - and at least 4 justices; note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters. Suffrage: 18 years of age Name of Swaziland's Ambassador to the U.S: Ambassador Abednigo Mandla Ntshangase Place of Swazi Embassy in the U.S: 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009 Location of the Swaziland Consulate in the U.S: N/A Name of U.S Ambassador: Ambassador Makila James Location of U.S Embassy: 7th Floor, Central Bank Building, Mahlokohla St., Mbabane Location of U.S Consulate in Swaziland: N/A Name of their U.N Ambassador: H.E. Mr. Zwelethu Mnisi Description of the Flag's Symbolism: Three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally; blue stands for peace and stability, red represents past struggles, and yellow the mineral resources of the country; the shield, spears, and staff symbolize protection from the country's enemies, while the black and white of the shield are meant to portray black and white people living in peaceful coexistence. National Symbol: Lion and elephant International Disputes: In 2006, Swazi king advocated resorting to ICJ to claim parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africa. Refugees: N/A |
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