Africa’s last absolute monarch, King Mswati III, on Tuesday signed Swaziland’s first Constitution, which preserves his sweeping powers and still outlaws political parties.
The monarch put his signature to the fundamental law, which took eight years to be drafted, before waving it for all to see during a gathering at the queen mother’s palace at Ludzidzini, outside the capital, Mbabane, that was attended by about 5 000 people.
”This marks the rebirth of the Swazi nation,” the king said.
”We are happy today. We are adopting something of our own. We know that the journey was long but we are happy that finally we have our own Constitution,” Mswati said to applause and whistles.
He said the Constitution will come into force in six months and entail fresh elections.
The Constitution still bans political parties and does not allow the courts to preside over cases that have a bearing on the monarchy and Swazi traditional issues.
Mswati had earlier asked lawmakers to reconsider a clause stating that Christianity was the only recognised religion in Swaziland and a second provision stating that MPs would continue to receive pay even if the legislature was dissolved.
Both of the clauses were dropped in the final version.
Mswati (37), who ascended to the throne at the age of 18, has been criticised for his lavish lifestyle and refusal to open up the tiny mountain kingdom to democratic reforms. — Sapa-AFP