By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE:Bongnkosi ‘IB’ Dlamini,the Convenor of the United Eswatini Diaspora(UED)says the International Criminal Court(ICC)cannot issue a warrant of arrest against Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes and then fear King Mswati.

Responding to Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo’s sentiments where he alleged that the ICC had no jurisdiction to investigate eSwatini as the country was not a signatory of the Rome Statute,Dlamini said a warrant of arrest was issued against President Vladimir Putin despite the fact that Russia and Ukraine were not signatories of the Rome Statute.

“The ICC can investigate anyone in terms of international law regardless whether that country is a signatory or not.Ukraine and Russia are not signatories of the ICC but war crimes were investigated and a warrant was issued against President Putin.Being a signatory means that country is committing itself in assisting the ICC in arresting a wanted person. Akusho kutsi nawungasiyo signatory utobulala bantfu nje ungentiwa lutfo,Mswati utawuboshwa nje kahle(meaning: It doesn’t mean that if you are not a signatory, you will just kill people without being held accountable, Mswati will be arrested,”said the UED Convenor.

Dlamini made history in the eSwatini struggle for democracy last week when he visited the International Criminal Court(ICC) in Hague, he was invited by investigators for a briefing and presentation of more evidence ahead of a possible investigation into Mswati’s alleged crimes against humanity.

Mswati,an absolute Monarch stands accused of unleashing his soldiers and the police to shoot and kill dozens of civilians merely for demanding democracy.

But as the pressure escalates,Alpheous Nxumalo,the Government Spokesperson released a statement saying the International Criminal Court(ICC) had no jurisdiction to prosecute crimes against humanity committed within eSwatini.

Nxumalo said most cases of the ICC came through tribal or ethnic armed conflicts,guerrilla wars,or interstate’s aggressions,he denied that such was happening in eSwatini.

“It is only when there is a litany of serious crimes,well documented by various authentic and independent legal bodies, and after corroborating and undeniable evidence of such allegations,that the ICC can start to formally investigate,”reads the Government statement in part.