Africa-Press – Eswatini. King Mswati’s proximity to former President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Joseph Kabila is not in any way, an endorsement or demonstration of support for the M23 rebels controlling the mineral rich eastern parts of DRC, his Spokesperson Percy Simelane told.
The King’s Spokesperson was clarifying allegations suggesting that, President Kabila was hiding in eSwatini before flying to Goma where he was warmly welcomed by the M23 rebels.
But Aljazeera reported that, Kabila might be arrested for treason after the DRC Parliament voted in favour of lifting his prosecution immunity.
Before the DRC Parliament resolution, allowing the law enforcement agencies to arrest him, former President Kabila was seen in eSwatini, attending the King’s Birthday and this, was subsequent to an earlier alleged secret visit where he was seen with King Mswati’s Financial Advisor Sthofeni Ginindza, touring the Malkerns Square.
But apart from the alleged proximity to the eSwatini Monarch, ex-President Kabila “appears to be having investments in the Kingdom but, his business interests in eSwatini could not be independently verified.
Responding to this publication, King Mswati’s Spokesperson clarified that, Kabila’s visit was not sinister adding that, the Monarch normally “hosts visitors that include current and former Heads of State”.
Simelane could neither confirm nor deny that, former President Joseph Kabila “is a friend to the King” but consistently maintained that, international dignitaries normally visit the Kingdom of eSwatini to meet the Monarch.
“We do not have a list of the King’s personal friends.It would be therefore, difficult to confirm Mr Joseph Kabila is one of them. What we know is that international dignitaries, including former Presidents visit Eswatini from time to time for various reasons, including paying courtesy calls to the King. Recently, Eswatini hosted former Botswana President, Ian Seretse Khama, and former South African President Jacob Zuma.Former Malawi President Bakili Muluzi and former Zambian President, David Kenneth Kaunda used to come too. Mr Kabila has returned to his country after his short private visit. He is reportedly in Goma. We have no official baseline for his alleged troubles in his own country, DRC,” said the King’s Spokesperson.
The BBC reported earlier this week that, Kabila’s arrival in Goma comes after Senators in the DRC Parliament stripped him of his immunity over alleged links with the Rwanda-backed M23 which has been fighting the Congolese army.
Former President Joseph Kabila is the son of the late DRC President Laurent Kabila, he previously denied links with the rebel group and recently decried the justice system for allowing itself to be used in political fights while accusing DRC President Felix Tshisekedi of being a dictator.
The fifty-three(53)-year-old led the Democratic Republic of Congo for eighteen(18) years, after succeeding his father who was shot dead in 2001.
Speaking to the BBC, a Goma youth leader for Kabila’s People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), confirmed earlier reports from the M23 that Kabila had returned and stated that residents were happy about his arrival.
“Kabila should be allowed full access to the country. For us it is like a father has returned to his children,” Innocent Mirimo told BBC Swahili.
But despite the political tension between President Felix Tshisekedi and Kabila, King Mswati appears to be enjoying close ties with the “former DRC President who is now backed by the M23 rebel group”.
The eSwatini King is also having close and warm relations with Rwandan President Paul Kagame who has been accused of having links with the DRC rebels, Kabila has been frequenting the tiny Kingdom of eSwatini situated in Southern Africa.
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