MBABANE – Eswatini is seeking stronger border controls as refugee and asylum-seeker numbers increase, following talks with the United Kingdom.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Senator Pholile Shakantu met with the United Kingdom Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum, The Rt Hon Anna Turley MP, to discuss areas of cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting focused on strengthening the partnership between the two countries through the sharing of experience and building practical cooperation in managing migration in a fair, orderly and secure manner.
Government acknowledged that the Kingdom of Eswatini is experiencing an increase in the number of refugees and asylum seekers.
While the country remains committed to its international obligations and providing protection to those genuinely in need, government is determined to strengthen its laws, policies, systems and controls to ensure that the situation is managed proactively and does not escalate out of control, as has been witnessed in other countries.
The discussions explored how the two countries could work together to strengthen border management, improve refugee and asylum processes, combat human trafficking and smuggling, enhance information sharing and build institutional capacity.
The cooperation is also aimed at protecting borders, upholding human dignity and safeguarding national security.
Eswatini values its longstanding friendship with the United Kingdom and looks forward to deepening cooperation between the two countries in addressing these issues.
During the visit, Minister Turley also took Senator Shakantu on a tour of the UK Parliament.
Senator Shakantu had the opportunity to sit in and observe proceedings in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
