Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini
Encyclopedia
Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini (born 15 May 1942) is Prime Minister
of Swaziland
. He was Prime Minister from 1996 to 2003 and has held the position again since October 2008.
Dlamini was Minister of Finance from 1984 to 1993. He was also an executive director of the International Monetary Fund
(IMF). From 1996 to 2003, he was Prime Minister, and in 2003 he became a member of King Mswati III
's advisory council.
Dlamini was a candidate, backed by the Swazi government, for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission in early 2008. The government withdrew his candidacy out of solidarity with the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) so that SADC could present a single candidate.
Following the September 2008 parliamentary election
, Dlamini was reappointed as Prime Minister by Mswati III on 16 October 2008. Jan Sithole
, the Secretary-General of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions
, was critical of the appointment, saying that Dlamini worked to "suppress political organisations and advance the strong rule of the monarchy" during his earlier period as Prime Minister; he also accused Dlamini of "strong-hand tactics and lack of respect for the rule of law". Opposition leader Mario Masuku
, the President of the People's United Democratic Movement
, said that Dlamini "was not appointed on merit but on his level of allegiance to the king". Dlamini was sworn in by Chief Justice Richard Banda
on 23 October 2008. He took the oath of office both in English
and in SiSwati
.
Heads of government of Swaziland
-Heads of Government:-See also:*List of kings of Swaziland*lists of incumbents...
of Swaziland
Swaziland
Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...
. He was Prime Minister from 1996 to 2003 and has held the position again since October 2008.
Dlamini was Minister of Finance from 1984 to 1993. He was also an executive director of the International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
(IMF). From 1996 to 2003, he was Prime Minister, and in 2003 he became a member of King Mswati III
Mswati III of Swaziland
Mswati III is the King of Swaziland and head of the Swazi Royal Family. In 1986, he succeeded his father Sobhuza II as ruler of the southern African kingdom...
's advisory council.
Dlamini was a candidate, backed by the Swazi government, for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission in early 2008. The government withdrew his candidacy out of solidarity with the Southern African Development Community
Southern African Development Community
The Southern African Development Community is an inter-governmental organization headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana. Its goal is to further socio-economic cooperation and integration as well as political and security cooperation among 15 southern African states...
(SADC) so that SADC could present a single candidate.
Following the September 2008 parliamentary election
Swazi parliamentary election, 2008
A parliamentary election was held in Swaziland for the House of Assembly on 19 September 2008. It was the first election under the new constitution introduced in 2006, and the first time that foreign observers were allowed to monitor an election in the country...
, Dlamini was reappointed as Prime Minister by Mswati III on 16 October 2008. Jan Sithole
Jan Sithole
Jan Sithole was the leader of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions for 25 years. He stepped down in October 2009.In 1995, Sithole was threatened with deportation, and later kidnapped and abandoned in the boot of a car....
, the Secretary-General of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions
Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions
-External links:* and the COSATU.* -Affiliates:There are 21 trade unions affiliated to the SFTU.* Building and Construction Workers Union * Swaziland Agricultural and Plantation Workers Union * Swaziland Commercial Workers Union...
, was critical of the appointment, saying that Dlamini worked to "suppress political organisations and advance the strong rule of the monarchy" during his earlier period as Prime Minister; he also accused Dlamini of "strong-hand tactics and lack of respect for the rule of law". Opposition leader Mario Masuku
Mario Masuku
Mario Masuku is the leader of the People's United Democratic Movement , Swaziland's banned opposition party.He was born in the village of Makhosini...
, the President of the People's United Democratic Movement
People's United Democratic Movement
The People's United Democratic Movement is the largest opposition party in Swaziland. Formed in 1983, it is led by pro-democracy activist Mario Masuku...
, said that Dlamini "was not appointed on merit but on his level of allegiance to the king". Dlamini was sworn in by Chief Justice Richard Banda
Richard Banda
The Honorable Justice Richard Banda, SC is a Malawian barrister at law and athlete. He was born in the Northern part of Malawi. He is a judge and former Chief Justice of Malawi and Swaziland and Minister of Justice in Malawi. He was president of Commonwealth Magistrates' and Judges' Association...
on 23 October 2008. He took the oath of office both in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and in SiSwati
Swati language
The Swazi or Swati language is a Bantu language of the Nguni group spoken in Swaziland and South Africa by the Swazi people. The number of speakers is estimated to be in the region of 3 million. The language is taught in Swaziland and some South African schools in Mpumalanga and KaNgwane areas...
.