Breaking news from the tiny African kingdom of Swaziland. On Monday, its polygamous ruler, King Mswati III, taunted his political opponents, both domestic and international, saying their dreams of a popular uprising in Africa's last absolute monarchy would not be realised."Some from the Western world have been waiting patiently and nursing hopes that the people of Swaziland will revolt and bring about regime change," said the king, adding "Swazis are known the world over for being peace-loving and I would like to urge you to remain like that."
Mswati has at least a dozen wives [Who's counting? Ed.] and a personal fortune estimated at $200 million. 18 months ago the monarch faced rare protests when his administration ran out of money following a recession in neighbouring South Africa. The fiscal crisis emboldened his pro-democracy opponents, who also took heart from the "Arab spring" uprisings against autocratic rulers in North Africa and the Middle East.
However, not all of the king's subjects are disenchanted. Ed. has been able to come up with a picture of some of the more comely subjects rejoicing on hearing that Mswati intends to keep it up... so to speak.
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