Africa-Press – Eswatini. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is currently in Eswatini following an invitation extended by His Majesty King Mswati III.
This was revealed by Eswatini’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mahlaba Mamba, who also serves as the country’s Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Ambassador Mamba addressed journalists during a press briefing hosted by the visiting Commission on 19 July 2025 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Mbabane.
According to Mamba, the invitation was formally extended by the King during the 2025 AU Summit in Addis Ababa.
“The King personally invited the Commission to Eswatini because of the negative publicity the country has been receiving internationally,” said Mamba.
“There have been repeated claims that Eswatini does not respect human rights, and His Majesty felt it was important that the Commission comes to see the situation for itself.”
High-Level Engagements
Since arriving in the kingdom earlier this week, members of the Commission have held meetings with a number of senior officials, including Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, several Cabinet ministers, Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala, Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini, and House of Assembly Speaker Jabulani Mabuza. The Commission also got an opportunity to visit correctional facilities under His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS), where the members of the Commission got an opportunity to interview former Ngwemphisi Member of Parliament (MP) Mthandeni Dube and former Minister of Public Works and Transport Ntuthuko Dlamini.
Ambassador Mamba noted that the Prime Minister took time to thoroughly brief the Commission on the Tinkhundla system of governance, Eswatini’s unique political structure that blends traditional leadership with modern democratic practices. The PM also addressed the country’s commitment to cultural preservation while embracing global standards of governance.
False Claims Addressed
Ambassador Mamba further refuted some of the allegations levelled against Eswatini in recent years. One such claim involved a report that an activist had been brutalised by police on 1 May 2025. However, investigations revealed that the individual in question had passed away in 2024, well before the alleged incident.
Commission’s Observations
Professor Remy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, confirmed that the delegation was in the country on the invitation of His Majesty and that they had indeed been offered an opportunity to learn more about Eswatini’s dual governance model.
He applauded the country for maintaining its cultural heritage while also progressing in governance and institutional development.
Commissioner Dr Litha Musyimi Ogana , who is also a member of the Commission, noted positive legislative developments since their last visit in 2016, including the Correctional Services Act (2017) and the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act (SODV). These were cited as indicators of Eswatini’s commitment to improving the protection of human rights.
However, the Commission urged the kingdom to make further progress by ratifying additional international instruments that would strengthen its human rights framework.
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