By Joseph Zulu<\/p>\n
MBABANE \u2013 There is a reported increase in statelessness in the country.<\/p>\n
This refers to individuals living without a nationality, leaving them unable to fully participate in society or access basic services.<\/p>\n
While the issue is often associated with conflict zones and displaced populations, the Ministry of Home Affairs says it is taking steps to prevent statelessness in Eswatini through stronger birth registration, legal support and public awareness initiatives.<\/p>\n
In the past 24 months, a collaboration of government departments including the Ministry of Home Affairs as well as the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM)\u2019s Office faced this challenge, with major concerns around Vuvulane and Mafucula. The Times of Eswatini had reported that children in these areas had not been able to access government services including Free Primary Education (FPE) or being treated in a public hospitals. This was found to be as a result of not having any form of identification.<\/p>\n
Documentation<\/p>\n
Further, it had been reported that this was due to the fact that their parents also did not have any form of documentation as they were migrants who had lived in the country for several years without any form of identification.<\/p>\n
According to the ministry\u2019s First Quarter Report for the 2026\/27 financial year, the Refugee Department has intensified efforts to eradicate and prevent statelessness by working with government institutions, civil society organisations and international partners. The report says one of the department\u2019s priorities is to ensure that everyone living in the country has access to legal identity and nationality documentation where they are entitled to it. In Eswatini, laws recognise citizenship mainly through descent, registration and naturalisation. The report notes that one of the key areas of concern involves people affected by gender-discriminatory provisions in nationality legislation.<\/p>\n