General

MBABANE – Government yesterday confirmed the successful repatriation of 25 emaSwati citizens from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of an ongoing evacuation mission ordered by His Majesty the King.

The group arrived at King Mswati III International Airport yesterday evening, marking a significant milestone in government’s efforts to assist citizens affected by the current instability in parts of the Gulf Region.

In an official statement, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Pholile Shakantu, said the operation was progressing well, although more citizens still needed assistance.

“His Majesty’s government is pleased to provide an update on our mission to evacuate emaSwati citizens stranded in the Gulf Region. Today (yesterday), we successfully repatriated 25 citizens from the UAE, who arrived at King Mswati III International Airport this evening,” said Shakantu.

She added that while the repatriation of the 25 marked a major achievement, the mission was far from over.

“While a significant part of this operation has been completed, there are still emaSwati who need to be evacuated from other areas in the region. This ongoing effort is guided by a direct command from His Majesty the King, reflecting his deep care for the welfare of all emaSwati, especially those in distress,” she said.

The minister emphasised that government teams remained on high alert and were working around the clock to facilitate the safe return of those still stranded.

“Our dedicated teams are actively working to ensure the safe return of these remaining citizens and are exploring all available avenues for their return. We remain committed to supporting and protecting every citizen during this challenging time,” she said.

She further encouraged emaSwati who are still in the Gulf Region to maintain communication with the country’s diplomatic missions.

“We encourage emaSwati still in the Gulf to stay connected with our diplomatic missions in the region or reach out to the ministry back home for assistance,” Shakantu urged.

The evacuation mission follows heightened tensions and security concerns in parts of the Gulf, which have disrupted normal travel arrangements and raised safety fears among foreign nationals working in the region. Like many countries, Eswatini moved swiftly to ensure the safety of its citizens once the situation began to deteriorate.

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Following a direct command from His Majesty King Mswati III, 25 emaSwati arrived at King Mswati III International Airport yesterday evening from the UAE.