#King Mswati III

[deadpresidents]

How many absolute monarchs are there in the world?

•King Salman of Saudi Arabia •Pope Francis •Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman •Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei •The King of Swaziland (now Eswatini): King Mswati III of Swaziland (AKA Eswatini) •United Arab Emirates: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed (Each of the seven Emirates that form the UAE have their own absolute monarch and Sheikh MBZ, as leader of Dubai, is the overall ruler of the nation.)

Did I miss anybody? I think those are the only absolute monarchs still in power today. The rest of the world's royalty are constitutional monarchs, so they reign but do not rule.

(There's an argument for including Kim Jong Un on the list of absolute monarchs despite the fact that he's not a King and North Korea is a Communist country. He's obviously a dictator, but the Kim dynasty has virtually ruled North Korea like a secular monarchy for nearly 75 years with the supreme leaders inheriting their power through hereditary succession. Kim Jong Un took over immediately upon the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, who had assumed power when his father -- North Korea's first paramount leader, Kim Il Sung -- died in 1994. Of course, North Korea isn't officially considered a monarchy, but the manner in which the Kim family has ruled the country and transferred power from father-to-son for three generations and counting resembles the structure of an absolute monarchy more than a "traditional" totalitarian dictatorship.)

#Absolute Monarchs #Absolute Monarchy #King Salman #Saudi Arabia #Pope Francis #Vatican #Sultan Haitham bin Tariq #Oman #Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah #Brunei #King Mswati III #Swaziland #Eswatini #Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed #MBZ #United Arab Emirates #Politics #Government #Monarchs #Forms of Government #Power #Executive Power #Kim Jong Un #North Korea #Kim Dynasty #Kim Jong Il #Kim Il Sung #Royalty #Dictators #Totalitarianism

[thabisonjoko]

A Royal Celebration: Eswatini King Mswati III's Birthday Preparations in Mankayane

Eswatini, a land known for its vibrant culture and traditions, is gearing up for a momentous occasion – the 56th birthday celebration of King Mswati III. Scheduled for the 19th of April, the festivities are set to take place at Mankayane, with preparations unfolding seamlessly under the watchful eye of the Mankayane Town Board.

As an eager observer of this grand event, I recently had the opportunity to witness the bustling activity at Mankayane Sports Ground, where every detail is meticulously planned to honor the monarch's special day. From colorful decorations to lively performances, the atmosphere is charged with excitement and anticipation.

Beyond the festivities, there's also talk of future developments that will leave a lasting legacy in Mankayane. Post the King's birthday celebration, the town board has ambitious plans to construct a state-of-the-art stadium, with an estimated budget of 4 million. This initiative not only underscores the commitment to enhancing local infrastructure but also signifies a new chapter in the town's growth and development.

For those looking to be part of this historic celebration and the promising future that lies ahead for Mankayane, accommodation options abound. Khelekhele Lodge & Campsite offers a serene retreat surrounded by nature, perfect for those seeking a tranquil stay. On the other hand, Khopho Backpackers provides a more budget-friendly yet comfortable lodging experience, catering to the diverse needs of visitors.

As the countdown to King Mswati III's birthday continues, the spirit of unity and pride pervades Mankayane, setting the stage for a memorable and meaningful celebration. It's not just a birthday; it's a reflection of Eswatini's rich heritage and a testament to the bright prospects on the horizon.

#eswatini #Mankayane #King Mswati III #Kings Birthday #ngwempisi #Africa #Khelekhele Lodge & Campasite #Ngwempisi Hiking Trails #Khopho Backpackers

[gwydionmisha]

#King Mswati III #Eswatini #News

[kirstythejetblackgoldfish]

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov meeting the King of Eswatini Mswati III on the sidelines of the Third Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Turkey/Turkiye, 2 March 2024

#Sergey Lavrov #Russia #Mswati III #King Mswati III #Eswatini #Antalya Diplomatic Forum #Third Antalya Diplomatic Forum #Turkey #Turkiye

[premimtimes]

Not Yet "Hamba Kahle", Thulani, By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu

Thulani Maseko was the outstanding lawyer of his generation. His crime was to believe that his beloved eSwatini, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, could be and deserved to be better. He believed that this cause was best served by reforming the country into a constitutional monarchy and he forged a formidable coalition to advance this goal. For this, he has given his life. His killers and those who…

View On WordPress

#African Union (AU) #Amnesty International (AI) #Chidi Anselm Odinkalu #eSwatini #King Mswati III #Lawyers for Human Rights #Multi-Stakeholder Forum #Southern African Development Community (SADC) #Swaziland #Thulani Maseko

[world-of-wales]

CONFIRMED ATTENDEES TO THE CORONATION OF

♚♛ KING CHARLES III & QUEEN CAMILLA ♛♚

───────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────────────

♔ ┆ Foreign Royalty

King Felipe & Queen Letizia 🇪🇸

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde and Princess Elisabeth, The Duchess of Brabant 🇧🇪

King Jigme Khesar & Queen Jetsun Pema 🇧🇹

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Abdullah & Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku 🇲🇾

Kīngi Tūheitia & Makau Ariki Te Atawhai of the Māori

Grand Duke Henri & Grand Duchess Maria Teresa 🇱🇺

King Carl Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria 🇸🇪

King Willem-Alexander & Queen Maxima, Princess Beatrix and Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia, The Princess of Orange 🇳🇱

Crown Prince Haakon & Crown Princess Mette-Marit 🇳🇴

Crown Prince Fumihito & Crown Princess Kiko 🇯🇵

Crown Prince Frederick & Crown Princess Mary 🇩🇰

Prince Albert & Princess Charlene 🇲🇨

King Vajiralongkorn & Queen Suthida 🇹🇭

King Abdullah II & Queen Rania 🇯🇴

King Tupou & Queen Nanasipau’u 🇹🇴

Hereditary Prince Alois & Hereditary Princess Sophie 🇱🇮

King Mswati III & Queen Sibonelo LaMbikiza 🇸🇿

Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah 🇰🇼

Crown Prince Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said 🇴🇲

Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani 🇶🇦

Princess Lalla Meryem 🇲🇦

Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd Minister of State 🇸🇦

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed 🇦🇪

King Letsie III & Queen Masenate 🇱🇸

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah 🇧🇳

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa 🇧🇭

Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II & Lady Julia of the Ashanti

♔ ┆ Deposed Royalty & Distant Family Relations

Queen Anne-Marie, Crown Prince Pavlos & Crown Princess Mary Chantal 🇬🇷

Margrave Bernhard & Margravine Stephanie of Baden

Landgrave Donatus of Hesse

Prince Philipp & Princess Saskia of Hohenlohe - Langenburg

Margareta (Custodian of the Crown) and Prince Radu 🇷🇴

Crown Prince Alexander & Crown Princess Katherine 🇷🇸

Tsar Simeon & Tsaritsa Margarita 🇧🇬

Annoying Ginger from Montecito

♔ ┆ Governor-Generals of Commonwealth Realms

Governor-General David Hurley & Linda Hurley 🇦🇺

Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams & Lady Williams 🇦🇬

Governor-General Sir Cornelius A. Smith & Lady Smith 🇧🇸

Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro & Richard Davies 🇳🇿

Governor-General Mary Simon & Whit Fraser 🇨🇦

Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen & Lady Allen 🇯🇲

Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam 🇧🇿

Governor-General Dame Cécile La Grenade 🇬🇩

King's Representative Sir Tom Marsters & Lady Tuaine Marsters 🇨🇰

Governor-General Sir David Vunagi & Lady Vunagi 🇸🇧

Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae 🇵🇬

Governor-General Dame Marcella Liburd 🇰🇳

Deputy Governor-General Hyleta Liburd of Nevis

Acting Governor-General Errol Charles 🇱🇨

Governor-General Dame Susan Dougan 🇻🇨

Governor-General Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani 🇹🇻

♔ ┆ Heads of Governments of Commonwealth Realms

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese & Jodie Haydon 🇦🇺

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau & Sophie Grégoire Trudeau 🇨🇦

Prime Minister Philip Davis 🇧🇸

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell 🇬🇩

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins 🇳🇿

Prime Minister Terrance Drew 🇰🇳

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves 🇻🇨

♔ ┆ Governmental Representatives of Commonwealth Realms

Margaret Beazley, Governor of New South Wales 🇦🇺

Linda Dessau, Governor of Victoria 🇦🇺

Jeannette Young, Governor of Queensland 🇦🇺

Chris Dawson, Governor of Western Australia 🇦🇺

Frances Adamson, Governor of South Australia 🇦🇺

Barbara Baker, Governor of Tasmania 🇦🇺

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham 🇧🇸

Former Prime Minister Perry Christie 🇧🇸

Michael Pintard, Leader of the Opposition 🇧🇸

Janice Charette, Clerk to the Privy Council of Canada and Secretary to the Cabinet 🇨🇦

High Commissioner Kisha Abba Grant 🇬🇩

High Commissioner Phil Goff 🇳🇿

Christopher Luxon, Leader of the Opposition 🇳🇿

Koni Iguan, Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament 🇵🇬

Justin Tkatchenko, Minister for Foreign Affairs 🇵🇬

Rainbo Paita, Minister for Finance and National Planning 🇵🇬

Taies Sansan, Secretary for the Department of Personnel Management 🇵🇬

Gisuwat Siniwin, former Member of the National Parliament 🇵🇬

Premier Mark Brantley of Nevis

High Commissioner Moses Kouni Mose 🇸🇧

Jeremiah Manele, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade 🇸🇧

♔ ┆ Foreign Heads of States + Governments

President Andrzej Duda & First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda 🇵🇱

President Petr Pavel and First Lady Eva Pavlová 🇨🇿

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos 🇵🇭

President Katalin Novák & First Gentleman István Attila Veres 🇭🇺

President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson and First Lady Eliza Reid 🇮🇸

President Michael D. Higgins & First Lady Sabina Higgins and Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach 🇮🇪

President Herzog & First Lady Michal Herzog 🇮🇱

President Egils Levits & First Lady Andra Levite 🇱🇻

President Ali Bongo Ondimba & First Lady Sylvia Bongo Ondimba 🇬🇦

President Mario Abdo Benítez & First Lady Silvana López Moreira 🇵🇾

O le Ao o le Malo Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II & Masiofo Faʻamausili Leinafo 🇼🇸

President Paul Kagame & First Lady Jeannette Kagame 🇷🇼

President Wavel Ramkalawan, & First Lady Linda Ramkalawan 🇸🇨

President George Vella & First Lady Miriam Vella 🇲🇹

President Julius Maada Bio & First Lady Fatima Bio 🇸🇱

Hakainde Hichilema & First Lady Mutinta Hichilema 🇿🇲

President Sergio Mattarella 🇮🇹

President Ranil Wickremesinghe 🇱🇰

President Halimah Yacob 🇸🇬

President Faure Gnassingbé 🇹🇬

President Muhammadu Buhari 🇳🇬

President Filipe Nyusi 🇲🇿

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier 🇩🇪

President Vahagn Khachaturyan 🇦🇱

President Alar Karis 🇪🇪

President Sauli Niinistö 🇫🇮

President Emmanuel Macron 🇫🇷

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva 🇧🇷

President Alexander Van der Bellen 🇦🇹

President Vahagn Khachaturyan 🇦🇲

President Salome Zourabichvili 🇬🇪

President Katerina Sakellaropoulou 🇬🇷

President Abdul Latif Rashid 🇮🇶

President Vjosa Osmani 🇽🇰

President George Weah 🇱🇷

President Gitanas Nausėda 🇱🇹

President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani 🇲🇷

President Maia Sandu 🇲🇩

President Stevo Pendarovski 🇲🇰

President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera 🇲🇼

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih 🇲🇻

President William Ruto 🇰🇪

President Irfaan Ali 🇬🇾

President Wiliame Katonivere 🇫🇯

President Paul Biya 🇨🇲

President Nikos Christodoulides 🇨🇾

President Mohamed Bazoum 🇳🇪

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa 🇵🇹

President Klaus Iohannis 🇷🇴

President Macky Sall 🇸🇳

President Zuzana Čaputová 🇸🇰

President Nataša Pirc Musar 🇸🇮

President Võ Văn Thưởng 🇻🇳

Emmerson Mnangagwa 🇿🇼

Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers Borjana Krišto 🇧🇦

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 🇧🇩

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo 🇰🇷

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif 🇵🇰

President Alain Berset of the Swiss Confederation & Muriel Zeender 🇨🇭

Prime Minister Galab Donev 🇧🇬

♔ ┆ Governmental Representatives

First Lady Jill Biden & Finnegan Biden and John Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate 🇺🇸

First Lady Olena Zelenska 🇺🇦

First Lady Verónica Alcocer 🇨🇴

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar 🇮🇳

Vice President Fuat Oktay 🇹🇷

Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné 🇨🇮

Vice President Han Zeng 🇨🇳

Vice President Mohammed B.S Jallow 🇬🇲

Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the National Assembly 🇦🇿

Christophe Mboso N'Kodia Pwanga, President of the National Assembly 🇨🇩

Arnoldo André, Minister of Foreign Affairs 🇨🇷

Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation 🇿🇦

Nabil Ammar, Minister of Foreign Affairs 🇹🇳

Narayan Prakash Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs 🇳🇵

Gustavo Manrique, Foreign Minister 🇪🇨

Ahmed Attaf, Foreign Minister 🇩🇿

Frederick Shava, Foreign Minister & Mthuli Ncube, Finance Minister 🇿🇼

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Secretary of State 🇻🇦

Ambassador José Alberto Briz Gutiérrez 🇬🇹

♔ ┆ Representatives from International Organizations

Amina Jane Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General 🇺🇳

Ursula von der Leyen, President of EU Commission 🇪🇺

Charles Michel, EU Council President 🇪🇺

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 🇪🇺

#coronation 2023 guest list #coronation 23 #coronation guests #coronation guest list #british royals #british royalty #king charles #king charles iii #charles iii #queen camilla #queen consort camilla

[tiaramania]

Foreign Royals at the Coronation of King Charles III

Even though we now know that the coronation on May 6th will not be a tiara event, I'll still keep a running list of foreign royals that have confirmed attendance. Traditionally other monarchs don't attend coronations in the United Kingdom unless they are from a Commonwealth country (Brunei, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malaysia, and Tonga) but they are doing away with that this time around.

Bahrain - King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

Belgium - King Philippe & Queen Mathilde

Bhutan - King Jigme Kesar & Queen Jetsun Pema

Brunei - Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah & Prince 'Abdul Mateen

Cambodia -

Denmark - Crown Prince Frederik & Crown Princess Mary

Eswatini - King Mswati III & Queen Sibonelo LaMbikiza

Japan - Crown Prince Akishino & Crown Princess Kiko

Jordan - King Abdullah II & Queen Rania

Kuwait - Crown Prince Mishal Al Ahmad

Lesotho - King Letsie III & Queen 'Masenate

Liechtenstein - Hereditary Prince Alois & Hereditary Princess Sophie

Luxembourg - Grand Duke Henri & Grand Duchess Maria Teresa

Malaysia - King Abdullah & Queen Azizah

Monaco - Prince Albert & Princess Charlene

Morocco - Princess Lalla Meryem

Netherlands - King Willem Alexander & Queen Máxima

Norway - Crown Prince Haakon & Crown Princess Mette Marit

Oman - Crown Prince Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said

Qatar - Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

Saudi Arabia - Prince Turki bin Mohammed Al Saud

Spain - King Felipe & Queen Letizia

Sweden - King Carl XVI Gustaf & Crown Princess Victoria

Thailand - King Vajiralongkorn & Queen Suthida

Tonga - King Tupou VI & Queen Nanasipau’u

United Arab Emirates - Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Non-Reigning Royals

Ashanti - King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II & Lady Julia

Baden - Margrave Bernhard & Margravine Stephanie

Bulgaria - King Simeon & Queen Margarita

Greece - Queen Anne Marie & Crown Prince Pavlos (I've seen conflicting reports about Crown Princess Marie Chantal attending.)

Hesse - Landgrave Donatus

Hohenlohe-Langenburg - Prince Philipp & Princess Saskia

Māori - King Tuheitia & Queen Te Atawhai

Romania - Princess Margareta & Prince Radu

Serbia - Crown Prince Alexander & Crown Princess Katherine

#Tiara Talk #British Coronation #British Royal Family #royal

[aimeedaisies]

Members of other royal families who attended the coronation of Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey - 06/05/23

Europe

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium 🇧🇪

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark (representing the Queen of Denmark) 🇩🇰

Alois, Hereditary Prince and Sophie, Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein (representing the Prince of Liechtenstein) 🇱🇮

Grand-Duke Henri and Grand-Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg 🇱🇺

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco 🇲🇨

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands 🇳🇱

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway (representing the King of Norway) 🇳🇴

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain 🇪🇸

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden 🇸🇪

Asia

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain 🇧🇭

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan 🇧🇹

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Prince 'Abdul Mateen of Brunei 🇧🇳

Crown Prince Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait (representing the Emir of Kuwait) 🇰🇼

Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan (representing the Emperor) 🇯🇵

King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan 🇯🇴

Yang di Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia 🇲🇾

Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Crown Prince of Oman (representing the Sultan of Oman) 🇴🇲

Emir and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad of Qatar 🇶🇦

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi (representing the Emir of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates) 🇦🇪

Prince Turki bin Mohammed Al Saud of Saudi Arabia (representing the King of Saudi Arabia) 🇸🇦

King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida of Thailand 🇹🇭

Africa

King Mswati III and Inkhosikati LaMbikiza of Eswatini 🇸🇿

King Letsie III and Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho 🇱🇸

Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco (representing the King of Morocco) 🇲🇦

Oceania

King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipa’u of Tonga 🇹🇴

Ceremonial monarchs

Asantehene and Lady Julia of Asante 🇬🇭

Māori King Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII and Queen Te Atawhai 🇳🇿

Members of defunct foreign royal families

Margrave Bernhard and Margravine Stephanie of Baden 🇩🇪

Tsar Simeon II and Tsaritsa Margarita of Bulgaria 🇧🇬

Landgrave and Langravine of Hesse 🇩🇪

Prince Philipp and Princess Saskia of Hohenlohe-Langenburg 🇩🇪

Margareta of Romania (Custodian of the Crown of Romania) and Prince Radu of Romania 🇷🇴

Queen Anne-Marie, Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of the Hellenes 🇬🇷

Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Yugoslavia 🇷🇸

#plz ignore this #you might find it interesting though #coronatiAnne #king charles iii guest list

[onheirpodcast]

There are very few existing absolute monarchies, systems of government where a monarch has unlimited power over their country. At present there are six identified absolute monarchies: 

The Vatican (led by Pope Francis 2013)

Brunei (under Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah since 1967)

Oman (controlled by the newest absolute monarch, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, since 2020)

United Arab Emirates (the UAE is made up of seven emirates, led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum since 2006)

Saudi Arabia (King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has reigned since 2015)

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland; led by King Mswati III since 1986)

#royals #royalty #eswatini #king mswati #saudi arabia #king salman #uae #sheikh mohammed bin rashid al maktou #oman #sultan haitam bin tariq al said #brunei #sultan hassanal bolkiah #vatican #pope francis

[brookston]

Holidays 4.19

Holidays

Americas’ Day (Honduras)

Army Day (Brazil)

Bicycle Day

Bitcoin Halving Day

Blue Jay Day

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Action Day

Day of the Indian (Venezuela)

Dog Parent Appreciation Day

Dutch-American Friendship Day

Electrical Load Shedding Day (Ecuador)

419 Day

Global Day of Action Against Spyware

Hanging Out Day

Holocaust Remembrance Day (Poland)

Horseless Carriage Day

Humorous Day

Indian Day (Brazil)

International Day of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness

International Spandex Day

John Parker Day

King Mswati III Day (Eswatini)

Landing of the 33 Patriots Day (Uruguay)

Leucothea Asteroid Day

Lexington & Concord Day

Lydia Asteroid Day

National Canadian Film Day (Canada)

National Cat Lady Day

National Day of Silence

National Dog Parent Appreciation Day

National Fingering Day

National Hanging Out Day

National Hayden Day

National Health Day (Kiribati)

National Indigenous People’s Day (Brazil)

National North Dakota Day

National Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day

National Paw Parent Appreciation Day

National Poker Day

National Slow Down Day (Ireland)

National Spice Smoking Day

Night of Destiny (Bangladesh)

Navpad Oli (a.k.a. Ayambil Oli; Jain)

Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day

Patriots’ Day (Florida)

Plastic Free Lunch Day

Primrose Day (UK)

Printing Industry Day (Russia)

Refresh Your Goals Day

Republic Day (Sierra Leone)

The Simpsons Day

Snakes Return to Ireland Day

Snowdrop Day

Stoner’s Eve (Orthodox Christian) [Day before 4.20] (a.k.a. ... 

4/20 Eve

Got a Minute Day

Gotta Day

The Pre-Bake

Ursine Garlic Day

Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Remembrance Day

World Day of Action in Solidarity with Venezuela

World IBS Day

World Liver Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Garlic Day

Espresso Italiano Day (Italy)

National Amaretto Day

National Chicken Parmesan Day

National Rice Ball Day

3rd Friday in April

Empire Day (Canada) [Weekday before 24th]

Friendship Friday [3rd Friday]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

Make a Quilt Day [3rd Friday]

National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day [3rd Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning April 19 (3rd Week)

Four-Twenty Weekend (Weekend Closest to 4.20]

National Dance Week [thru 4.28]

Independence & Related Days

Independence Declaration Day (Venezuela)

Kuban (Adoption into Russia; 2018)

Lexmark (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Taman (Adoption into Russia; 2018)

Zimbabwe (Independence Day Holiday)

New Year’s Days

New Years Holidays (Myanmar0

Festivals Beginning April 19, 2024

Baltimore Old Time Music Festival (Baltimore, Maryland) [thru 4.20]

Buds-A-Palooza (Phoenix, Arizona)

California Poppy Festival (Lancaster, California) [thru 4.21]

California Wine Festival (Dana Point, California) [thru 4.20]

Cider, Wine & Done Weekend (Henderson, North Carolina) [thru 4.21]

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (India, California) [thru 4.21]

Crawfish Music Festival (Biloxi, Mississippi) [thru 4.21]

Dubai Food Festival Dubai, UAE) [thru 5.12]

East European Comic Con (Bucharest, Romania) [thru 4.21]

Jersey Shore Restaurant Week (Jersey Shore, New Jersey) [thru 4.28]

Kaunas Jazz (Kaunas, Lithuania) [thru 4.29]

La Fete Du Monde (Raceland, Louisiana) [thru 4.21]

Moscow International Film Festival (Moscow, Russia) [thru 4.26]

National Cannabis Festival (Washington, DC) [thru 4.20]

New England Folk Festival (Marlborough, Massachusetts) [thru 4.21]

Northwest Cherry Festival (The Dalles, Oregon) [thru 4.21]

Pompano Beach Seafood Festival (Pompano Beach, Florida) [thru 4.21]

River Falls Bluegrass, Bourbon & Brews Festival (River Falls, Wisconsin) [thru 4.21]

Schmeckfest (South Dakota) [3rd & 4th Fridays]

Texas SandFest (Port Aransas, Texas) [thru 4.21]

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown Day Before]

Education and Sharing Day [11 Nisan]

International Passover Joke Day [11 Nisan]

Feast Days

Ælfheah of Canterbury (Anglican, Catholic; Saint)

Alphege (Christian; Saint)

Amanda Sage (Artology)

Bandage and Lozenge-Sucking Competition (Shamanism)

Bendideia (Ancient Greece)

Cerealia (Roman Festival to Ceres, Goddess of Barley & Agriculture)

Conrad of Ascoli (Christian; Saint)

David Koresh Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Elphege, Archbishop of Canterbury (Christian; Saint)

Emma of Lesum (Christian; Saint)

Expeditus of Melintine (Christian; Saint) [Hoodoo; Nerds; Santerians]

Fernando Botero (Artology)

George of Antioch (Christian; Saint)

Geroldus (Christian; Saint)

Lager Day (Pastafarian)

Leo IX, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Ma Zu (Goddess of the Sea's Birthday; Taoism)

Olaus and Laurentius Petri (Lutheran; Saint)

Persephone’s Return (Pagan)

Pierre (Muppetism)

Strabo (Positivist; Saint)

Start of Pastover (Pastafarian)

Ursmar (Christian; Saint)

Veronese (Artology)

Willem Drost (Artology)

Zoot’s Day (Muppetism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Prime Number Day: 109 [29 of 72]

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [19 of 37]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 18 of 60)

Premieres

Alvin’s Solo Flight (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1961)

Bob & Doug (Animated TV Series; 2009)

Cake Boss (TV Series; 2009)

Carousel (Broadway Musical; 1945)

Fast Color (Film; 2019)

Goodie the Gremlin (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1961)

The Harder They Come, by T. Coraghessan Boyle (Novel; 2015)

Hound About That (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1961)

Illmatic, by Las (Album; 1994)

Iphigenia in Aulis, by C.W. Glucks (Opera; 1774)

Just a Little Bull (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1940)

King of Jazz (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1930)

The Land of Fun (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1941)

The Last Battle, by Cornelius Ryan (Novel; 1966)

L.A. Woman, by The Doors (Album; 1971)

Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of …), by Lou Bega (Song; 1999)

Man for Himself: An Inquiry Into the Psychology of Ethics, by Erich Fromm (Philosophy Book; 1947)

Man Plus, by Frederik Pohl (Novel; 1976)

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (Film; 2024)

Money Doodles (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1960)

Moosylvania Saved, Part 1 (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S6, Ep. 363; 1965)

Moosylvania Saved, Part 2 (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S6, Ep. 364; 1965)

Mrs. Winterbourne (Film; 1996)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Film; 2002)

National Barn Dance (Radio Music Series; 1924)

Oblivion (Film; 2013)

Oxford English Dictionary, 1st Edition (Dictionary; 1928)

Peg Leg Pete, the Pirate (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1935)

Plenty Below Zero (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1943)

The Producers (Broadway Musical; 2001)

Ring of Fire, by Johnny Cash (Song; 1963)

The Scorpion King (Film; 2002)

The Secret Life of Plants: A Fascinating Account of the Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Relations Between Plants and Man, by Peter Tompkins (Science Book; 1973)

Service with a Guile (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1946)

Sing, Sing Prison (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1931)

Sinkin’ in the Bathtub, featuring Bosko (Looney Tunes Cartoon; 1930) [1st Warner Bros. cartoon]

A Small Town in Germany, by John le Carre (Novel; 1969)

Stand Up & Cheer (Film; 1934) [1st Shirley Temple film]

Symphony No. 6, by Jean Sibelius (Symphony; 1923)

Ticket to Ride, by The Beatles (Song; 1965)

Timid Tabby (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1957)

Tortured Poets Department, by Taylor Swift (Album; 2024)

The Trip (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1967)

Triplet Trouble (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1952)

Water, Water Every Hare (WB LT Cartoon; 1952)

Wings (TV Series; 1990)

The Zürau Aphorisms Franz Kafka

Today’s Name Days

Gerold, Leo, Marcel (Austria)

Ema, Konrad, Rastislav (Croatia)

Rostislav (Czech Republic)

Daniel (Denmark)

Aalike, Aleksandra, Alli, Allo, Andra, Sandra (Estonia)

Pälvi, Pilvi (Finland)

Emma (France)

Emma, Gerold, Leo, Timo (Germany)

Haroula, Theoharis, Theoharoula (Greece)

Emma (Hungary)

Emma, Ermogene, Espedito (Italy)

Fanija, Liba, Vēsma (Latvia)

Aistė, Eirimas, Leonas, Leontina, Simonas (Lithuania)

Arnfinn, Arnstein (Norway)

Adolf, Adolfa, Adolfina, Alf, Cieszyrad, Czech, Czechasz, Czechoń, Czesław, Leon, Leontyna, Pafnucy, Tymon, Werner, Włodzimierz (Poland)

Ioan (Romania)

Jela (Slovakia)

Expedito, León (Spain)

Ola, Olaus (Sweden)

Garey, Garett, Garret, Garrett, Garvey, Garvin, Gary, Gerald, Geraldine, Geri, Gerry, Jared, Jarod, Jarred, Jarrett, Jarrod, Jerald,Jeri, Jerod, Jerri, Jerrod, Jerry (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 110 of 2024; 256 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of week 16 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 6 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Wu-Chen), Day 11 (Guy-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 11 Nisan 5784

Islamic: 10 Shawwal 1445

J Cal: 20 Cyan; Sixday [20 of 30]

Julian: 6 April 2024

Moon: 84%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 26 Archimedes (4th Month) [Frontinus]

Runic Half Month: Man (Human Being) [Day 10 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 32 of 92)

Week: 3rd Week of April

Zodiac: Aries (Day 30 of 31)

#calendar #Holidays

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 4.19

Holidays

Americas’ Day (Honduras)

Army Day (Brazil)

Bicycle Day

Bitcoin Halving Day

Blue Jay Day

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Action Day

Day of the Indian (Venezuela)

Dog Parent Appreciation Day

Dutch-American Friendship Day

Electrical Load Shedding Day (Ecuador)

419 Day

Global Day of Action Against Spyware

Hanging Out Day

Holocaust Remembrance Day (Poland)

Horseless Carriage Day

Humorous Day

Indian Day (Brazil)

International Day of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness

International Spandex Day

John Parker Day

King Mswati III Day (Eswatini)

Landing of the 33 Patriots Day (Uruguay)

Leucothea Asteroid Day

Lexington & Concord Day

Lydia Asteroid Day

National Canadian Film Day (Canada)

National Cat Lady Day

National Day of Silence

National Dog Parent Appreciation Day

National Fingering Day

National Hanging Out Day

National Hayden Day

National Health Day (Kiribati)

National Indigenous People’s Day (Brazil)

National North Dakota Day

National Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day

National Paw Parent Appreciation Day

National Poker Day

National Slow Down Day (Ireland)

National Spice Smoking Day

Night of Destiny (Bangladesh)

Navpad Oli (a.k.a. Ayambil Oli; Jain)

Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day

Patriots’ Day (Florida)

Plastic Free Lunch Day

Primrose Day (UK)

Printing Industry Day (Russia)

Refresh Your Goals Day

Republic Day (Sierra Leone)

The Simpsons Day

Snakes Return to Ireland Day

Snowdrop Day

Stoner’s Eve (Orthodox Christian) [Day before 4.20] (a.k.a. ... 

4/20 Eve

Got a Minute Day

Gotta Day

The Pre-Bake

Ursine Garlic Day

Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Remembrance Day

World Day of Action in Solidarity with Venezuela

World IBS Day

World Liver Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Garlic Day

Espresso Italiano Day (Italy)

National Amaretto Day

National Chicken Parmesan Day

National Rice Ball Day

3rd Friday in April

Empire Day (Canada) [Weekday before 24th]

Friendship Friday [3rd Friday]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

Make a Quilt Day [3rd Friday]

National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day [3rd Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning April 19 (3rd Week)

Four-Twenty Weekend (Weekend Closest to 4.20]

National Dance Week [thru 4.28]

Independence & Related Days

Independence Declaration Day (Venezuela)

Kuban (Adoption into Russia; 2018)

Lexmark (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Taman (Adoption into Russia; 2018)

Zimbabwe (Independence Day Holiday)

New Year’s Days

New Years Holidays (Myanmar0

Festivals Beginning April 19, 2024

Baltimore Old Time Music Festival (Baltimore, Maryland) [thru 4.20]

Buds-A-Palooza (Phoenix, Arizona)

California Poppy Festival (Lancaster, California) [thru 4.21]

California Wine Festival (Dana Point, California) [thru 4.20]

Cider, Wine & Done Weekend (Henderson, North Carolina) [thru 4.21]

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (India, California) [thru 4.21]

Crawfish Music Festival (Biloxi, Mississippi) [thru 4.21]

Dubai Food Festival Dubai, UAE) [thru 5.12]

East European Comic Con (Bucharest, Romania) [thru 4.21]

Jersey Shore Restaurant Week (Jersey Shore, New Jersey) [thru 4.28]

Kaunas Jazz (Kaunas, Lithuania) [thru 4.29]

La Fete Du Monde (Raceland, Louisiana) [thru 4.21]

Moscow International Film Festival (Moscow, Russia) [thru 4.26]

National Cannabis Festival (Washington, DC) [thru 4.20]

New England Folk Festival (Marlborough, Massachusetts) [thru 4.21]

Northwest Cherry Festival (The Dalles, Oregon) [thru 4.21]

Pompano Beach Seafood Festival (Pompano Beach, Florida) [thru 4.21]

River Falls Bluegrass, Bourbon & Brews Festival (River Falls, Wisconsin) [thru 4.21]

Schmeckfest (South Dakota) [3rd & 4th Fridays]

Texas SandFest (Port Aransas, Texas) [thru 4.21]

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown Day Before]

Education and Sharing Day [11 Nisan]

International Passover Joke Day [11 Nisan]

Feast Days

Ælfheah of Canterbury (Anglican, Catholic; Saint)

Alphege (Christian; Saint)

Amanda Sage (Artology)

Bandage and Lozenge-Sucking Competition (Shamanism)

Bendideia (Ancient Greece)

Cerealia (Roman Festival to Ceres, Goddess of Barley & Agriculture)

Conrad of Ascoli (Christian; Saint)

David Koresh Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Elphege, Archbishop of Canterbury (Christian; Saint)

Emma of Lesum (Christian; Saint)

Expeditus of Melintine (Christian; Saint) [Hoodoo; Nerds; Santerians]

Fernando Botero (Artology)

George of Antioch (Christian; Saint)

Geroldus (Christian; Saint)

Lager Day (Pastafarian)

Leo IX, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Ma Zu (Goddess of the Sea's Birthday; Taoism)

Olaus and Laurentius Petri (Lutheran; Saint)

Persephone’s Return (Pagan)

Pierre (Muppetism)

Strabo (Positivist; Saint)

Start of Pastover (Pastafarian)

Ursmar (Christian; Saint)

Veronese (Artology)

Willem Drost (Artology)

Zoot’s Day (Muppetism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Prime Number Day: 109 [29 of 72]

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [19 of 37]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 18 of 60)

Premieres

Alvin’s Solo Flight (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1961)

Bob & Doug (Animated TV Series; 2009)

Cake Boss (TV Series; 2009)

Carousel (Broadway Musical; 1945)

Fast Color (Film; 2019)

Goodie the Gremlin (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1961)

The Harder They Come, by T. Coraghessan Boyle (Novel; 2015)

Hound About That (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1961)

Illmatic, by Las (Album; 1994)

Iphigenia in Aulis, by C.W. Glucks (Opera; 1774)

Just a Little Bull (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1940)

King of Jazz (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1930)

The Land of Fun (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1941)

The Last Battle, by Cornelius Ryan (Novel; 1966)

L.A. Woman, by The Doors (Album; 1971)

Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of …), by Lou Bega (Song; 1999)

Man for Himself: An Inquiry Into the Psychology of Ethics, by Erich Fromm (Philosophy Book; 1947)

Man Plus, by Frederik Pohl (Novel; 1976)

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (Film; 2024)

Money Doodles (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1960)

Moosylvania Saved, Part 1 (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S6, Ep. 363; 1965)

Moosylvania Saved, Part 2 (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S6, Ep. 364; 1965)

Mrs. Winterbourne (Film; 1996)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Film; 2002)

National Barn Dance (Radio Music Series; 1924)

Oblivion (Film; 2013)

Oxford English Dictionary, 1st Edition (Dictionary; 1928)

Peg Leg Pete, the Pirate (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1935)

Plenty Below Zero (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1943)

The Producers (Broadway Musical; 2001)

Ring of Fire, by Johnny Cash (Song; 1963)

The Scorpion King (Film; 2002)

The Secret Life of Plants: A Fascinating Account of the Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Relations Between Plants and Man, by Peter Tompkins (Science Book; 1973)

Service with a Guile (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1946)

Sing, Sing Prison (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1931)

Sinkin’ in the Bathtub, featuring Bosko (Looney Tunes Cartoon; 1930) [1st Warner Bros. cartoon]

A Small Town in Germany, by John le Carre (Novel; 1969)

Stand Up & Cheer (Film; 1934) [1st Shirley Temple film]

Symphony No. 6, by Jean Sibelius (Symphony; 1923)

Ticket to Ride, by The Beatles (Song; 1965)

Timid Tabby (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1957)

Tortured Poets Department, by Taylor Swift (Album; 2024)

The Trip (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1967)

Triplet Trouble (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1952)

Water, Water Every Hare (WB LT Cartoon; 1952)

Wings (TV Series; 1990)

The Zürau Aphorisms Franz Kafka

Today’s Name Days

Gerold, Leo, Marcel (Austria)

Ema, Konrad, Rastislav (Croatia)

Rostislav (Czech Republic)

Daniel (Denmark)

Aalike, Aleksandra, Alli, Allo, Andra, Sandra (Estonia)

Pälvi, Pilvi (Finland)

Emma (France)

Emma, Gerold, Leo, Timo (Germany)

Haroula, Theoharis, Theoharoula (Greece)

Emma (Hungary)

Emma, Ermogene, Espedito (Italy)

Fanija, Liba, Vēsma (Latvia)

Aistė, Eirimas, Leonas, Leontina, Simonas (Lithuania)

Arnfinn, Arnstein (Norway)

Adolf, Adolfa, Adolfina, Alf, Cieszyrad, Czech, Czechasz, Czechoń, Czesław, Leon, Leontyna, Pafnucy, Tymon, Werner, Włodzimierz (Poland)

Ioan (Romania)

Jela (Slovakia)

Expedito, León (Spain)

Ola, Olaus (Sweden)

Garey, Garett, Garret, Garrett, Garvey, Garvin, Gary, Gerald, Geraldine, Geri, Gerry, Jared, Jarod, Jarred, Jarrett, Jarrod, Jerald,Jeri, Jerod, Jerri, Jerrod, Jerry (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 110 of 2024; 256 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of week 16 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 6 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Wu-Chen), Day 11 (Guy-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 11 Nisan 5784

Islamic: 10 Shawwal 1445

J Cal: 20 Cyan; Sixday [20 of 30]

Julian: 6 April 2024

Moon: 84%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 26 Archimedes (4th Month) [Frontinus]

Runic Half Month: Man (Human Being) [Day 10 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 32 of 92)

Week: 3rd Week of April

Zodiac: Aries (Day 30 of 31)

#Holidays

[lboogie1906]

King Mswati III (born April 19, 1968) in Manzini. He was named Makhosetive Dlamini. His parents were King Sobhuza II and Ntfombi Tfabla. He grew up at the Etjeni royal residence near Lobamba.

He received his primary education at Masundvwini Royal School and his secondary education at Lozitha Palace School in Swaziland. He attended boarding school in Sherbourne, where he studied English, mathematics, business studies, geography, physical science, and economics.

King Sobhuza II died in August 1982. It was announced that he was the heir apparent. He returned to Swaziland and was crowned King Mswati III on April 25, 1986. He was the youngest ruling monarch in the world at the time.

He resisted efforts by some of his subjects who demanded democratization. A new constitution for the country was issued in 2005. In reviewing the document only token gestures to democracy were made. He continues to exercise absolute power to appoint the prime minister and cabinet and to dissolve the nation’s Parliament.

He has at least 15 wives and numerous concubines. He has 36 children and several grandchildren. His public display of luxury, while his subjects struggle, has resulted in criticism of Mswati III both in the nation and abroad.

In 2021 the government banned petitions to the government asking for democratic reforms. When Thabani Nkomonye, a law student, was allegedly killed by police, violent protests erupted. In the ensuing violence over 50 people were killed and property damage amounted to $19.4 million. The government continues to use the Terrorism Act of 2008 to suppress free speech and any criticism of the monarchy. Restrictions on freedom of association and assembly have been implemented and press freedom is severely restricted.

On April 19, 2018, he changed the name of the country from Swaziland to Eswatini to mark its 50th anniversary of independence. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[africabriefingsblog]

Eswatini govt denies allegations regarding King's wealth

IN a statement issued by Alpheous Nxumalo, a spokesperson for the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, on Monday, the government vehemently denied allegations suggesting that King Mswati III’s wealth was obtained through illegitimate means. Nxumalo clarified that the King’s wealth, if any, is primarily inherited and managed through legitimate channels. According to Nxumalo, much of the assets…

View On WordPress

[drdanojowa]

Putin's wealth is an assumption. Africa's King Mswati III might be richer than him.

[healthstyle101]

Eswatini, one of the world’s last monarchies, holds largely ceremonial elections

Eswatini Holds Parliamentary Elections as King Retains Absolute Power Eswatini, a small nation nestled between South Africa and Mozambique, witnessed its parliamentary elections on Friday. Despite the election, King Mswati III continues to wield absolute power, while the country upholds a ban on political parties and elected representatives serve as advisors to the monarch. Formerly known as Swaziland, Eswatini is the last remaining absolute monarchy in Africa and one of the few worldwide. King Mswati III, who ascended to the throne in 1986 at the age of 18, carries on a family tradition of monarchical rule that has persisted for 55 years. Remarkably, Eswatini only gained independence from Britain in 1968. A Unique Electoral System In Eswatini, parliamentary elections are conducted every five years. However, candidates vying for seats in the House of Assembly and Senate cannot be affiliated with political parties, which were outlawed back in 1973. Instead, they are nominated locally before facing the popular vote. The king plays a substantial role in appointing members of the House of Assembly and a majority of the Senate, the prime minister, and other pivotal government figures. As the "Ngwenyama," or lion, Mswati III holds executive and legislative powers in the nation of 1.2 million people and can make decisions by decree. Calls for Democratic Reforms Recent years have seen growing pro-democracy protests, with activists pushing for reforms like allowing political parties and democratically electing the prime minister. However, these efforts were met with a stern crackdown by the police and security forces under the king's authority in June 2021, resulting in multiple casualties. The clamor for reform persists, with a focus on political party legalization and democratic prime ministerial elections. Notably, two parliament members were imprisoned for advocating for such reforms during the 2021 protests and convicted this year under an anti-terrorism law, decried by rights groups as a tool to stifle criticism and halt the democracy movement. Economic Disparities Criticism has mounted against King Mswati III for his opulent lifestyle in contrast to the widespread poverty faced by Eswatini's citizens. The nation contends with the world's highest per capita HIV infection rate and an average life expectancy of just 57 years, one of the lowest globally. Forbes magazine estimated the king's wealth at $200 million in 2008, as he possesses private jets, a fleet of luxury vehicles, and is known to wear a suit adorned with diamonds. Additionally, his numerous wives have sparked controversy due to the use of public funds for building palatial residences. According to the World Bank's latest assessment, over half of Eswatini's population survives on less than $3.65 per day. Read the full article

[warningsine]

Africa's last absolute monarchy celebrated Wednesday (Sep. 06) its 55th independence anniversary.

King Mswati III of Eswatini paraded to cheering crowds gathered at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba.

As the monarch addressed his people, he had a word for the continent.

"On such an occasion, we cannot overlook the power struggles happening in Africa, especially in the northern part, where there is infighting. This is against the African spirit of peace as it derails the unpacking of programs such as the Africa free trade. Peace must be priority," the king said.

Among the leaders attending the festivities was Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen who kicked off a four-day visit on Tuesday (Sep. 05). She highlighted a doubly meaningful celebration.

"We have been proud to be an important partner to Eswatini. For more than five decades this partnership has been the epitome of progress and development."

Both countries signed agreements during the leader's visit.

Eswatini is Taiwan's last declared ally in Africa, with the rest of the continent aligning itself with China, which claims Taiwan as a territory.

#eswatini