Briefing Paper

Swaziland at a crossroad

“On August 21, 1982 King Sobhuza II died at the age of 83. His sixty-one years of continuous rule, unparalleled in modern history, ensured Swaziland political stability and economic prosperity.
However, the very length of the reign
now presents the country with profound problems; who will succeed him; and can the new ruler maintain the unique combination of constitutional and political status built up by Sobhuza since independence?
This Brief Report discusses the following;
1. Background Information and Statistics;
2. History and Recent Political Developments
3. Recent Economic Developments; and
4. Foreign Policy and the Ingwavuma/KaNgwane
Land Deal.”