AWAZA, TURKMENISTAN – The Eswatini Government has begun repatriation talks with the countries of the five convicted immigrants received from the United States of America recently.
The five third-country deportees are from Yemen, Cuba, Jamaica, Laos and Vietnam.
In an interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Pholile Shakantu, Eswatini has assured a concerned neighbouring South Africa, fearing a regional security threat, that the immigrants will have a safe and dignified return to their home countries.
The minister is said to be encouraged by the progress made regarding the talks so far.
The ministry has indicated that the repatriation of the individuals poses no security risk to any other parties both within and outside the facilities in which they are currently housed as stringent security protocols have also been adopted.
The minister’s response follows correspondence received from the Republic of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation regarding their discomfort on the transit of five third-party nationals from the United States of America currently kept at the country’s Correctional facilities.
She said Eswatini has implemented comprehensive measures, including close collaboration with international organisations specialising in migrant protection.
These efforts, it has been explained, encompass not only logistical support for repatriation but also tailored reintegration assistance to facilitate a sustainable transition.
Minister Shakantu has assured the Republic of South Africa and emaSwati that the facilitation of deportation of the individuals poses no security risk to any other parties both within and outside the facilities in which they are currently housed.
The minister stated that Eswatini in all its dealings with external parties is guided by its foreign policy principle of ‘Having No Enemy – Anginasitsa,’ and the kingdom is committed to fostering peace, goodwill and cooperation globally.
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