MBABANE:Joseph Kabila,the former President of the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC) who is facing arrest for alleged treason, has arrived in the M23 rebel group controlled eastern Goma city, the British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC) reported on Monday evening.
But it has been reported by this Swaziland News that, the former President was allegedly hiding in the Kingdom of eSwatini, he was seen during the recent King Mswati’s Birthday Celebrations and, his arrival and departure was kept a top secret by the country’s authorities.
Before attending the King’s Birthday, former President Kabila was seen touring some properties including the Malkerns Square with King Mswati’s Financial Advisor Sthofeni Ginindza, his alleged business interests in eSwatini could not be independently verified.
The BBC reported 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.
Former President Joseph Kabila(Reuters).