Mbabane- Government has confirmed that Third Country Nationals (TCNs) who came to Eswatini following an official request from the United States Government are voluntarily leaving the Kingdom for their original sub-regions of origin or neighbouring third countries for resettlement.
The confirmation comes after Independent News sent a media inquiry to Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli on the morning of October 7, 2026, seeking clarification on reports that Phone Chomsavanh, one of five people transferred from the United States to Eswatini in July 2025 under the US administration’s third-country deportation arrangement, had reportedly been released from detention.
Independent News also asked Government to confirm reports that Chomsavanh had left Eswatini for Laos through Johannesburg and to respond to allegations by his US-based lawyer that he had been detained in Eswatini for more than 14 months without a hearing or an opportunity to challenge his transfer.
In response, Mdluli said she was consulting officials responsible for the programme and would provide feedback, adding that Government normally issues statements concerning the repatriation of the TCNs.
Government subsequently issued a press statement confirming that the repatriation of TCNs temporarily residing in Eswatini was continuing.
According to the statement, the first TCN, a national of Yemen, voluntarily left the Kingdom on October 3, 2024, after successfully completing transit and travel legal checks.
The second TCN, a national of Rwanda, voluntarily departed Eswatini on November 13, 2024, following similar transit and travel checks.
Government further stated that the third TCN, a national of Libya, voluntarily departed the Kingdom on October 8, 2024, following what it described as a dynamic and comprehensive profile-building process aligned with safety considerations.
Government said the continued repatriation of the remaining prospective returning TCNs temporarily residing in Eswatini was “human-led” and continued to respond to the parameters, conditions and provisions established for individuals in accordance with the applicable strategy for voluntary returnees.
It said the process was being undertaken with specific focus on individual TCNs and their circumstances.
Government also expressed appreciation to individual states and bilateral partners that had cooperated with Eswatini in efforts to minimise the duration of the TCNs’ stay in the Kingdom.
The cooperation, according to Government, was aimed at supporting different stages of their return and stabilisation while facilitating safe voluntary returns.
Government said Eswatini’s approach adhered to international humanitarian standards and accountability.
“The Human-led and active spirit of Eswatini adheres to international humanitarian standard practices and accountability,” Government said.
It added that it continued to facilitate dialogue and response projects in the Kingdom while safeguarding processes supporting the various steps involved in the return of the TCNs.
Government, however, did not specifically name Chomsavanh in the statement or directly confirm whether he had been released from detention or had departed Eswatini for Laos through Johannesburg.
It also did not directly address the allegation that Chomsavanh had been detained for more than 14 months without a hearing or an opportunity to challenge his transfer.
Instead, Government said it would continue to provide updates on significant developments concerning the Third Country Nationals in the Kingdom “as appropriate”.
The Government’s statement therefore confirms that TCNs brought to Eswatini under the arrangement are being repatriated voluntarily, while the specific circumstances surrounding Chomsavanh’s reported release and departure remain unclear from the statement.
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