The Kingdom of Eswatini has reportedly found itself at the centre of a fresh regional controversy involving former DRC president Joseph Kabila, with claims circulating that he has acquired Eswatini citizenship and a diplomatic passport.
If true, the development could raise serious diplomatic questions. But for now, the allegations remain unverified, and the kingdom’s response—or lack of one—has become part of the story.
According to Swaziland News, royal spokesperson Percy Simelane dismissed questions surrounding the allegations. The publication also reported claims that a diplomatic passport had been issued, although the circumstances surrounding the alleged document remain unclear.
And in the midst of the controversy, the obvious question remains: Has Eswatini granted Kabila citizenship and diplomatic protection, or is this another round of speculation surrounding one of Central Africa’s most contentious political figures?
Kabila’s political future has attracted renewed attention as his relationship with current DRC President Félix Tshisekedi has deteriorated and allegations of links to the M23 rebellion have continued to fuel tensions. Kabila has denied having ties to M23 and Rwanda.
The regional picture is further complicated by reports that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has warned Kabila against entering Uganda, adding another dimension to the former president’s reported search for political space beyond the DRC.
Kabila is no stranger to political realignments. He founded the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) in 2002 and later launched the Save the DRC platform on October 14, 2025, according to reports.
For now, the reported Eswatini citizenship and passport claims require independent confirmation. Until official documentation or a clear statement from the relevant authorities emerges, the distinction between allegation and established fact remains essential.
In a region where politics, security and diplomacy increasingly overlap, one unanswered question may prove more significant than all the rumours: What role, if any, is Eswatini prepared to play in Joseph Kabila’s next political chapter?
