MBABANE:Percy Simelane, the King’s Spokesperson has neither confirm nor deny that, King Mswati is a close friend to former Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana but clarified that, the country has a welcoming Monarchy and as a result, almost all African Heads of State run to eSwatini when ousted or facing political persecution.
The King’s Spokesperson was asked by this Swaziland News to respond to an opinion article written by Wandile Dludlu, the Deputy President of the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) Wandile Dludlu who doubles as this publication’s weekly Guest Writer.
Dludlu accused King Mswati of being close to former Madagascar Ravalomanana who was ousted by Andry Rajoelina adding that, “there might be possibilities or Mswati’s involvement in the coup that manifested within the east-African Island.
President Rajoelina who ousted Ravalomanana in 2009 was this week ousted as well amid deadly protests and as reported by The Guardian, he fled the country on a French military aircraft and reportedly in Dubai.
But King’s Spokesperson Percy Simelane said, the King normally assist ousted Presidents by providing ‘shelter’ as per the United Nations(UN) rules on refugee seekers.
“In all honesty I don’t have a list of the King’s friends. I wouldn’t therefore not know if Madagascar's former President Ravalomanana is one of them. Until evidence of the friendship is shared I will continue to believe that the King hosts fleeing political gurus as per UN rules on refugee seekers. Eswatini, like all members of the UN family has an unavoidable duty to contribute towards world order, including offering refuge to those fleeing persecution or coups.During the liberation struggle in the region, Eswatini hosted the likes of former South African Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma. Mozambique’s former Presidents, Samora Machel and Armando Guebuza. Nationals of both countries sought and got refuge in Eswatini on a responsibility basis and not friendship. I will continue to take the friendship stance as a far-fetched attempt to demonize the King unless the British English definition of ‘friend’ has changed,” said the King’s Spokesperson.
King Mswati.