Mbabane – Two Third Country Nationals (TCNs) who were brought to Eswatini under the country’s bilateral arrangement with the United States of America have voluntarily left the Kingdom to return to their home countries.
The two, a national of Mauritania and another from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), were part of the groups of TCNs temporarily hosted in Eswatini under the arrangement with the US.
The government of Eswatini confirmed on Tuesday that the Mauritanian national, who arrived in the Kingdom in July as part of the fourth group, was repatriated on Saturday, August 15, after requesting to return home.
According to statement by the government, the national expressed a desire to reunite with his family, prompting authorities to facilitate arrangements for his return to Mauritania.
Additionally, a DRC national, who was part of the third group of TCNs, also voluntarily left the Kingdom on Sunday, August 16, following a request to return to his country of origin and reunite with his family.
Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli said the departures formed part of ongoing arrangements concerning TCNs temporarily residing in Eswatini.
She said a number of the TCNs had expressed a desire to return to their respective countries of origin.
“Government is engaging with the relevant authorities and partners to facilitate such requests in accordance with the applicable arrangements and procedures,” Mdluli said.
In this the statement in part has not disclosed how many TCNs have requested voluntary repatriation or the total number currently remaining in Eswatini.
The voluntary departures come as Eswatini continues to host TCNs transferred to the Kingdom under its arrangement with the US Government.
The arrangement has placed Eswatini among countries involved in the US administration’s efforts to deport certain migrants to third countries.
The Kingdom has maintained that the TCNs are temporarily residing in the Kingdom and has previously assured the public that their rights and wellbeing would be respected and protected during their stay.
Mdluli reiterated that position, saying government remained committed to protecting the rights and wellbeing of the TCNs while safeguarding the security and interests of the Kingdom and its people.
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