This archive report was first published on 29 June 2021.
On June 29, 2021, Eswatini's government dismissed reports that King Mswati III had fled the country amidst violent pro-democracy protests.
Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku told a virtual press conference that the King, Africa's last total monarch, was in the country and continued to lead in working with the government to advance the Kingdom's goals.
However, King Mswati III was not present at the briefing, fuelling speculation about his whereabouts.
Claims of the King's fleeing were first reported by South Africa's national Broadcaster SABC and picked up by various international media.
The Swaziland Solidarity Network, a pro-democracy lobby, later said the King had left the country amid the chaos, with Lucky Lukhele, its Coordinator, stating that the King had 'fled in his private jet to an unknown destination.'
ESwatini government spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini further denied the reports, calling them 'completely untrue and fake.'
The protests, which flared up several days ago, were sparked by a decree banning the delivery of petitions calling for democratic reforms.
