United States Ambassador to Swaziland
Encyclopedia
This is a list of Ambassadors of the United States to Swaziland
.
After the Second Boer War
of 1899–1902, Swaziland became a British protectorate
and thus came under the hegemony of the British Empire
. In the early years of colonial rule, the British had expected that Swaziland would eventually be incorporated into South Africa. After World War II
, however, South Africa’s racial policies induced the United Kingdom
to prepare Swaziland for independence. In 1966, the UK Government agreed to discuss a new constitution, and Swaziland became independent on September 6, 1968.
The United States immediately recognized
the new nation and established an embassy in the capital Mbabane
on September 6, 1968, independence day for Swaziland. Chris C. Pappas, Jr., was appointed as chargé d'affaires
ad interim
pending the appointment of an ambassador. The first ambassador, Charles J. Nelson was appointed on June 9, 1971. He was accredited to Swaziland, Lesotho
, and Botswana
while resident in Gaborone
, Botswana.
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...
.
After the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
of 1899–1902, Swaziland became a British protectorate
Protectorate
In history, the term protectorate has two different meanings. In its earliest inception, which has been adopted by modern international law, it is an autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily against third parties by a stronger state or entity...
and thus came under the hegemony of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. In the early years of colonial rule, the British had expected that Swaziland would eventually be incorporated into South Africa. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, however, South Africa’s racial policies induced the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to prepare Swaziland for independence. In 1966, the UK Government agreed to discuss a new constitution, and Swaziland became independent on September 6, 1968.
The United States immediately recognized
Diplomatic recognition
Diplomatic recognition in international law is a unilateral political act with domestic and international legal consequences, whereby a state acknowledges an act or status of another state or government in control of a state...
the new nation and established an embassy in the capital Mbabane
Mbabane
-References:...
on September 6, 1968, independence day for Swaziland. Chris C. Pappas, Jr., was appointed as chargé d'affaires
Chargé d'affaires
In diplomacy, chargé d’affaires , often shortened to simply chargé, is the title of two classes of diplomatic agents who head a diplomatic mission, either on a temporary basis or when no more senior diplomat has been accredited.-Chargés d’affaires:Chargés d’affaires , who were...
ad interim
Ad interim
The Latin phrase ad interim literally means "in the time between" denotes the meaning of "in the meantime", "for an intervening time" or "temporarily" in the English language...
pending the appointment of an ambassador. The first ambassador, Charles J. Nelson was appointed on June 9, 1971. He was accredited to Swaziland, Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
, and Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
while resident in Gaborone
Gaborone
' is the capital and largest city of Botswana with a population of 191,776 based on a 2006 survey, about 10% of the total population of Botswana....
, Botswana.
Ambassadors
- Note: Chris C. Pappas, Jr. served as chargé d'affaires September 1968–April 1969. Robert W. Chase served in that capacity, April 1969–August 1971.
- Note: Until 1979 one ambassador, resident at Gaborone, was accredited to Botswana, Swaziland, and Lesotho.
- Charles J. Nelson – Political appointee
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: June 9, 1971
- Presented credentials: November 3, 1971
- Terminated mission: Left Gaborone, March 2, 1974
- David B. Bolen – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: February 28, 1974
- Presented credentials: April 22, 1974
- Terminated mission: Left Gaborone, August 11, 1976
- Donald R. Norland – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: November 17, 1976
- Presented credentials: February 23, 1978
- Terminated mission: Left Gaborone, September 8, 1979
- Note: In 1979 the first ambassador was appointed solely for Swaziland.
- Richard Cavins Matheron – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: November 27, 1979
- Presented credentials: March 11, 1980
- Terminated mission: Left post May 26, 1982
- Robert H. Phinny – Political appointee
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: August 17, 1982
- Presented credentials: January 12, 1983
- Terminated mission: Left post September 5, 1984
- Harvey Frans Nelson, Jr.Harvey Frans Nelson, Jr.Harvey Frans Nelson Jr was United States Ambassador to Swaziland from 1985 to 1988.Nelson was born in 1924 in Long Beach, California, grandson of Nebraska Senator George William Norris. He served on active duty in the military from 1943 to 1946...
– Career FSO- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: August 1, 1985
- Presented credentials: October 14, 1985
- Terminated mission: Left post July 29, 1988
- Mary A. RyanMary A. RyanMary A. Ryan is a retired United States career diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to Swaziland from 1988 to 1990 and as Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs from 1993 to 2002.-Biography:...
– Career FSO- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: July 11, 1988
- Presented credentials: August 25, 1988
- Terminated mission: Left post January 24, 1990
- Stephen H. Rogers – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: October 22, 1990
- Presented credentials: November 15, 1990
- Terminated mission: Left post November 19, 1993
- John T. Sprott – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: August 9, 1993
- Presented credentials: February 17, 1994
- Terminated mission: Left post August 1, 1996
- Alan R. McKee – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: July 2, 1996
- Presented credentials: October 11, 1996
- Terminated mission: Left post July 12, 1999
- Gregory Lee Johnson – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: November 16, 1999
- Presented credentials: February 3, 2000
- Terminated mission: Relinquished charge October 18, 2001
- James D. McGeeJames D. McGeeJames David McGee is an American diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe. He is the former U.S. ambassador to Swaziland, Madagascar and the Comoros.-Early life:...
– Career FSO- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: January 30, 2002
- Presented credentials: February 21, 2002
- Terminated mission: Left post August 10, 2004
- Lewis W. Lucke – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: July 2, 2004
- Presented credentials: August 26, 2004
- Terminated mission: 2006
- Maurice S. ParkerMaurice S. ParkerMaurice S. Parker is a United States diplomat and career foreign service officer of the State Department. , he is the United States Ambassador to Swaziland. President Bush nominated him as ambassador on April 30, 2007...
– Career FSO- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: July 20, 2007
- Presented credentials: September 2007
- Terminated Mission: June 12, 2009
- Earl M. Irving – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: August 27, 2009
- Presented credentials: August 27, 2009
- Terminated Mission: Incumbent
See also
- Swaziland – United States relations
- Foreign relations of SwazilandForeign relations of SwazilandSwaziland is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the African Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Southern African Development Community...
- Ambassadors of the United States