By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Eswatini pro-democracy groups have warned Russia against supporting the ongoing conflict in eSwatini to create a market for its weapons. 

This comes amid allegations suggesting that Russia was secretly training King Mswati’s soldiers and the police who kill protesting civilians.

Alexander Surikov,the Russian Ambassador to eSwatini denied the allegations when addressing journalists during a press conference held at the in Mbabane on Wednesday.

“We are not training soldiers from Eswatini,we are only giving scholarships for higher military education,”said the Ambassador.

Speaking to this Swaziland News on Wednesday,Sibongile Mazibuko,the President of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress(NNLC) warned Russia not to secretly support the conflict by aiding Mswati with an intention of creating a market to supply weapons of war.

“We are worried because Russia is selling weapons of war and in the midst of this conflict,they might see an opportunity to sell their weapons.If the Ambassador is telling the truth that they are not supporting this regime,let them support and facilitate a political dialogue,”said the President of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress.

Eswatini is ruled by Mswati as an absolute Monarch with Executive, Judicial and Legislative powers, political parties are banned from participating in elections.

The political unrest erupted in June 2021,the citizens are demanding democratic reforms.

But King Mswati responded by unleashing soldiers and the police to shoot and kill dozens of civilians, he subsequently refused to participate in a dialogue.