Government (Swaziland)
======================


     Long-form name:
         Kingdom of Swaziland
     Type:
         monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth
     Capital:
         Mbabane (administrative); Lobamba (legislative)
     Administrative divisions:
         4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
     Independence:
         6 September 1968 (from UK)
     Constitution:
         none; constitution of 6 September 1968 was suspended on 12 April 1973; a new
         constitution was promulgated 13 October 1978, but has not been formally
         presented to the people
     Legal system:
         based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts, Swazi
         traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not accepted
         compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
     National holiday:
         Somhlolo (Independence) Day, 6 September (1968)
     Executive branch:
         monarch, prime minister, Cabinet
     Legislative branch:
         bicameral Parliament is advisory and consists of an upper house or Senate
         and a lower house or House of Assembly
     Judicial branch:
         High Court, Court of Appeal
     Leaders:
       Chief of State:
         King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)
       Head of Government:
         Prime Minister Obed DLAMINI (since 12 July 1989)
     Political parties and leaders:
         none; banned by the Constitution promulgated on 13 October 1978
     Suffrage:
         none
     Elections:
         indirect parliamentary election through Swaziland's Tinkhundala System
         scheduled for November 1992
     Member of:
         ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO,
         IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, SACU, SADCC, UN,
         UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
     Diplomatic representation:
         Ambassador Absalom Vusani MAMBA; Chancery at 3400 International Drive NW,
         Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 362-6683
       US:
         Ambassador Stephen H. ROGERS; Embassy at Central Bank Building, Warner
         Street, Mbabane (mailing address is P. O. Box 199, Mbabane); telephone [268]
         46441 through 5; FAX [268] 45959
     Flag:
         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