Happy Independence Day Swaziland
Thursday, 6 September 2007 by Jacob TomawToday in 1968 Swaziland received its independence from the United Kingdom, via an act of committee. The committee picked constitutional monarch as the form of government and parliamentary elections were to be held after independence. About 4 year later, in May 1972 they were held and things did not turn out very well if you are a fan of the republican and democratic forms of government. The King’s party, the Imbokodvo National Movement (INM), won 75% of the vote. The Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC) one only 20% of the vote. After that (as in the wikipedia)…
In response to the NNLC’s showing, King Sobhuza repealed the 1968 constitution on April 12, 1973 and dissolved parliament. He assumed all powers of government and prohibited all political activities and trade unions from operating. He justified his actions as having removed alien and divisive political practices incompatible with the Swazi way of life. In January 1979, a new parliament was convened, chosen partly through indirect elections and partly through direct appointment by the king.
So maybe the king is a benevolent liberty loving king, right? I don’t think so…
King Mswati III is often strongly criticized for living so lavishly in such a poor nation. He has a fleet of luxury cars, and has spent millions towards refurbishing his numerous wives’ luxury mansions.
Posted in National Holiday
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