MBABANE – Three Third Country Nationals sent to Eswatini under a bilateral arrangement with the United States have voluntarily returned home.
Government confirmed on Wednesday that the three nationals, from Yemen, Belize and Laos, requested to leave Eswatini and reunite with their families.
Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, in a statement, conveyed that three Third Country Nationals (TCNs), who arrived in the Kingdom under the existing bilateral arrangement with the Government of the United States of America, have voluntarily departed the Kingdom and returned to their respective countries of origin at different intervals in recent weeks.
She said the first TCN, a national of Yemen, voluntarily departed the Kingdom on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, following his request to return to his country of origin.
Mdluli said: “The second TCN, a national of Belize, voluntarily departed the Kingdom on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, following his request to return home. The third TCN, a national of Laos, voluntarily departed the Kingdom on Sunday, October 4, 2026, also following his request for voluntary repatriation to his country of origin.”
These departures, she said, form part of the ongoing arrangements concerning TCNs temporarily residing in the Kingdom. Mdluli said government continues to engage with the relevant authorities and partners to facilitate requests for voluntary repatriation, where made, in accordance with the applicable arrangements and procedures.
She conveyed government’s appreciation to the countries and relevant authorities that have cooperated with the Kingdom in facilitating the transit of the TCNs as they travelled to their respective countries of origin.
Such cooperation, she said, has contributed to the smooth and orderly facilitation of their journeys home. Mdluli reiterated Eswatini’s commitment to ensuring that the rights, dignity and well-being of TCNs are respected and protected throughout their temporary stay in the Kingdom, while safeguarding the security and interests of the Kingdom and its people.
The acting government spokesperson said the Administration will continue to provide updates on any significant developments concerning TCNs in the Kingdom, as appropriate.
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