Two Third Country Nationals (TCNs) who were temporarily residing in Eswatini under the US third-country arrangement have voluntarily returned to their countries of origin.
This was confirmed by Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, who said the two TCNs, one from Mauritania and another from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), requested to be repatriated to reunite with their families.
“The government of Eswatini informs the public that two third country nationals who arrived in the country as part of the third and fourth groups under the existing bilateral arrangement with the United States of America have since been voluntarily repatriated to their respective countries of origin,” said Mdluli.
The Mauritanian national arrived in Eswatini in July and was part of the fourth group. Mdluli said following his request for voluntary repatriation, government facilitated the necessary arrangements for his return.
“He departed the Kingdom on Saturday and was expected to reunite with his family,” she said.
She said the second one, a national of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was part of the third group and voluntarily departed Eswatini on Sunday after requesting to return home.
Mdluli said the repatriations formed part of ongoing arrangements concerning TCNs temporarily residing in the Kingdom.
“Several third country nationals have expressed requests for voluntary repatriation and an interest in returning to their respective countries of origin to reunite with their families,” she said.
She added that government was engaging relevant authorities and partners to facilitate such requests in accordance with applicable procedures.
Mdluli reiterated government’s commitment to protecting the rights and wellbeing of the third country nationals during their temporary stay in Eswatini while safeguarding the security and interests of the country and its people.
