BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE— Three foreign nationals who had been temporarily residing in Eswatini under the Kingdom’s bilateral arrangement with the United States have voluntarily returned to their countries of origin, Government announced on Wednesday.
The three are nationals of Yemen, Belize and Laos, according to a statement issued by Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli on October 7, 2026.
Government said the Yemeni national was the first to leave, departing Eswatini on September 8, 2026, after requesting to return to his country of origin.
The Belize national followed on September 30, also after asking to return home, while the national of Laos voluntarily departed on October 4.
Their departures come as Government continues managing Third Country Nationals who arrived in the Kingdom under an existing bilateral arrangement with the United States.
According to Mdluli, authorities continue to work with relevant countries and other partners to facilitate voluntary repatriation where such requests are made.
Government also thanked countries and authorities that assisted with the transit of the three nationals as they made their journeys home.
“The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini reiterates its commitment to ensuring that the rights, dignity and well-being of Third Country Nationals are respected and protected throughout their temporary stay in the Kingdom,” the statement reads.
At the same time, Government said the country’s security and national interests would continue to be safeguarded.
The latest development is significant because the presence of the Third Country Nationals in Eswatini has attracted considerable public interest since the arrangement with the United States became known.
Government said it would continue providing updates whenever there were significant developments involving the foreign nationals temporarily staying in the Kingdom.
(Courtesy Pic)
