Swaziland

Swaziland's constitution was suspended in 1973. Since then, the King has effectively ruled by decree. Traditional and Westminster-style political systems run parallel to each other. This often results in confusion around, and an overlap between areas of jurisdiction. As a result, basic human rights are exercised and denied, apparently at random. On June 22 2001, the King issued a Proclamation to the Nation with Decree No1 of 2001, a decree effectively enhancing the 1973 decree of his father suspending the constitution, and declaring a de facto state of emergency in Swaziland.

The decree ended a period in which communities opposed to the chieftainship of a member of the royal family were forcibly removed from their land, and two private publications were banned.
While the country has a relatively high per capita income of USD1360, the distribution of wealth is skewed, and about 70 per cent of the population survive on less than USD10 per month. There is also a 40% rise in unemployment.

Much of the country's population of 1 million, as well as its main services, are concentrated along a corridor between the two commercial centres of Mbabane, the capital, and Manzini. However, the source of much of the country's wealth is produced in sugar plantations located in the more rural east of the country.

Swaziland has the highest HIV infection rates in the SADC region (currently estimatedat 42 per cent). It has highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world.