蜜芽传媒

The government of Eswatini - formerly known as Swaziland - has released a statement denying claims in Southern Africa's media that its king has fled the country.

News reports stated that King Mswati left on Monday after pro-democracy protests escalated, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets to try to disperse demonstrators.

The king is an absolute monarch who chooses the country's government.

Zweli Martin Dlamini is the editor of the website, Swaziland News. He's previously been arrested by the government for his reporting. Speaking before the statement was issued, he said he'd be cautious about accepting any government denial on face value - and that we still don't know where the king is.

"It's a highly secretive government. You may find that even if he fled, they may deny that he fled, just to maintain the situation... Obviously several media houses in southern Africa have reported that he fled and we have also received information that he fled. Unfortunately for now we don't know where he is right now."

(Photo: King Mswati III of Eswatini on a visit to Russia. Credit: Getty Images)

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