LGBT Organization in Eswatini Sues Government Over Official Registration

In the African nation of Eswatini, the human rights group Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities (ESGM) continues a seven-year legal battle for the right to freedom of association. Activists are seeking official registration for their organization despite opposition from the government and the king.

The organization applied for registration as a non-profit in 2019 and was rejected. ESGM challenged this decision in the High Court. In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the human rights defenders: the registrar’s actions were declared unconstitutional, and the government was ordered to reconsider the application.

In September 2024, Eswatini’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade rejected the application again. He justified the refusal by stating that “Swazi customary law does not recognize same-sex relationships.”

In August 2025, ESGM went to court once more to challenge the new grounds for refusal. As reported by Daily Maverick , the case is still pending. ESGM Co-Director of Programmes Sisanda Mavimbela stated that the group has no intention of backing down.

Eswatini is the only absolute monarchy in Africa (the country was known as Swaziland until 2018). The state authorities maintain the position that LGBT people have no place in the kingdom. Journalists note that ESGM’s struggle takes place against the backdrop of general government attempts to limit the influence of any civil society organizations in the country.