What happened after King Sobhuza II died in 1982?

Following the death of King Sobhuza II on August 21, 1982, the country entered a period of uncertainty marked by a power struggle within the royal family. Although a regency was initially established to govern until the heir, Prince Makhosetive, reached his 21st birthday, the internal conflict led to his early ascension.1234

In 1986, at age 18, the prince was installed as King Mswati III, becoming the world's youngest leader at that time. He moved quickly to consolidate his authority, dissolving the Liqoqo—the traditional advisory board that had become the most powerful body in the country following his father's death—and reshuffling the cabinet.13

His subsequent reign has been characterized by autocratic rule and persistent public demands for democratic reform, which led to widespread protests and strikes throughout the 1990s and 2000s. In response to these pressures, Mswati III oversaw the drafting of a new constitution in 2001, which was ultimately implemented in 2006 but faced significant criticism for failing to establish a true democracy or address the king's absolute governing powers.123