Times Of Swaziland: SOMALIS NOW WANT SWAZI CITIZENSHIP SOMALIS NOW WANT SWAZI CITIZENSHIP ================================================================================ BY LINDA JELE on 23/03/2015 01:22:00 LOBAMBA – The seven Somalis asylum seekers have set up camp outside the Ludzidzini Royal Residence with the intention of seeking an audience with His Majesty King Mswati III. In vernacular this is known as kumbhula ingubo. About two months ago, the seven men walked from Malindza Refugee camp to the Lomahasha Border with the intention of travelling on foot back home. This was after they had a fallout with authorities at the camp. However, they could not cross over to Mozambique because they did not have proper documentation. Yesterday, they were found at a bus stop near the Lobamba Clinic before walking towards the royal residence. Mowlid Omar Warsame, the group leader, said they decided to meet the King because they believe he would rescue their situation. “We have been advised by some community members from Lomahasha that we should not die at the border and that we must seek audience with the King or Parliament,” he said. He mentioned that they resolved that meeting His Majesty would be the best option and further hinted that they would appeal to him to grant them Swazi citizenship. After failing to obtain refugee status, Warsame said the next best thing was the citizenship. “We have given up with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the other organisations and that is why we want to meet the King now,” he said. They believe the King would help them because they regarded themselves as his people, the Somalis said. While singing His Majesty’s praises, the Somalis described him as a kind person who had humanity. The men, who were carrying their luggage, said they would only fail to meet the King if stopped by corrupt people. “There is a possibility that some government officials might try to stop us from seeing the King,” he opined without saying who these officials were. After walking about 800 metres from the bus stop, they set up the camp under the shade and waited to be addressed by members of the security forces at the residence. When the reporter asked some security personnel at the residence about the presence of the Somalis, most said they were not aware.