MBABANE – Eswatini has joined other Commonwealth nations in committing to strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law, following the adoption of the Nadi Declaration at the Commonwealth Law Ministers Summit held in Fiji.
Attorney-General of Eswatini, Sifiso Mashampu Khumalo, was among Commonwealth law ministers who adopted the declaration on February 11, 2026, reaffirming collective efforts to renew democratic governance amid mounting global pressures.
The declaration commits Commonwealth member States to strengthening the rule of law, safeguarding human rights and widening citizen participation in decision-making processes that affect their lives. Ministers agreed to advance these commitments through cooperation, capacity-building and collective action.
The Nadi Declaration forms part of a broader ministerial outcome statement outlining new measures to reinforce legal protections for Commonwealth citizens at a time when democratic institutions face increasing strain from economic instability, climate change and misinformation.
Ministers pledged to combat misinformation and disinformation, including foreign interference in democratic processes, and to improve access to justice for vulnerable groups, particularly women, young people and persons with disabilities.
Recognising the growing impacts of climate change, ministers also reaffirmed that countries should retain their maritime zones, rights and entitlements despite coastline changes caused by rising sea levels.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of a steady global decline in adherence to the rule of law, with billions of people worldwide still lacking meaningful access to justice.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Shirley Botchwey described the commitments as critical at a time when democratic principles are increasingly under pressure.
“To continue along the current path would be to accept injustice and inequality as the new normal. For the Commonwealth, that is not an option,” she said.
She warned that weakening the rule of law directly affects citizens’ daily lives, eroding peace, fairness and climate resilience.
“The rule of law is what holds that line. That is why we must defend it, actively and collectively,” she said, adding that the focus now shifts to ensuring that the commitments translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
The summit, chaired by Fiji’s Minister for Justice and Acting Attorney-General Hon Siromi Turaga from February 9 to 11, 2026, concluded with ministers expressing a renewed sense of purpose in advancing democratic governance across the Commonwealth.
The Nadi Declaration and its implications
MBABANE - The Nadi Declaration on Democratic Resilience and Participation serves as a framework for advancing democratic resilience through the rule of law, human rights and good governance.
This is contained in the declaration sourced by this publication from the Commonwealth.
At its core, the declaration affirms that the rule of law is central to democratic resilience, sustainable development and good governance. It recommits member states to the values enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter and the Commonwealth Latimer House Principles.
The declaration recognises democratic resilience as fundamental to peace, prosperity and inclusive development. It underscores the link between good governance, ethical public administration and stable trade and investment environments.
It further acknowledges the disproportionate effects of climate change, particularly sea-level rise, on Small Island Developing States, least developed countries and coastal communities, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen adaptive capacity and resilience.
The declaration also recognises the role of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in upholding democratic standards and supporting member states in fulfilling their obligations.
Under the framework, member countries and the Commonwealth Secretariat are expected to collaborate progressively in advancing several objectives.
In upholding the rule of law, countries commit to strengthening legal frameworks that protect electoral integrity, constitutional rights and national sovereignty. This includes promoting judicial independence and supporting reforms that enhance access to justice, accountability and legal certainty.
The declaration also emphasises legal awareness and literacy, ensuring that laws are transparent, accessible and understood by citizens.
In protecting and advancing human rights, member states reaffirm their commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other applicable international instruments. The framework calls for strengthening mechanisms to monitor and address human rights violations and encouraging the participation of women, youth and marginalised groups in democratic processes.
It also promotes the full realisation of rights for persons with disabilities without discrimination.
On good governance, the declaration promotes transparency, accountability and integrity in public institutions, while supporting anti-corruption initiatives and ethical public administration. It encourages inclusive and responsive policymaking and strong, independent democratic parliaments.
The framework further focuses on rebuilding trust in democratic institutions, particularly through meaningful engagement with young people, recognising their role in shaping the future of governance.
Citizen participation is another cornerstone of the declaration. It seeks to expand avenues for public engagement in policymaking and oversight, strengthen civil society partnerships and promote civic literacy. Importantly, it acknowledges the role of customary law, traditional leadership and indigenous knowledge systems, alongside constitutional and representative structures, in reflecting the realities of member states.
In terms of implementation, the declaration aligns with the Commonwealth Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and calls for monitoring mechanisms, peer exchange and reporting on good practices. It encourages regional collaboration, technical assistance and multi-stakeholder dialogue to ensure progress is measurable and sustained.
For Eswatini, the adoption of the Nadi Declaration signals participation in a collective Commonwealth effort to consolidate democratic institutions, prevent democratic backsliding and strengthen governance systems in line with shared values.
The ultimate test, as underscored at the summit, will lie in translating the declaration’s commitments into measurable improvements in justice delivery, institutional integrity and citizen participation.
Attorney General Sifiso Mashampu Khumalo at the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in Fiji where the Commonwealth Nadi Declaration was adopted. (Pic: Commonwealth)