Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Eswatini government has begun repatriation talks with the countries of the five convicted immigrants received from the United States of America recently.
The five third-country deportees are from Yemen, Cuba, Jamaica, Laos and Vietnam.
In an interview with the minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Pholile Shakantu, Eswatini has assured a concerned neighbouring South Africa, fearing a regional security threat, that the immigrants will have a safe and dignified return to their home countries.
The minister is said to be encouraged by the progress made regarding the talks so far.
The ministry has indicated that the repatriation of the individuals poses no security risk to any other parties both within and outside the facilities in which they are currently housed as stringent security protocols have also been adopted.
The minister’s response follows correspondence received from the Republic of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation regarding their discomfort on the transit of five third-party nationals from the United States of America currently kept at the country’s correctional facilities.
She said Eswatini has implemented comprehensive measures, including close collaboration with international organizations specializing in migrant protection. These efforts, it has been explained, encompass not only logistical support for repatriation but also tailored reintegration assistance to facilitate a sustainable transition.
Minister Shakantu has assured the Republic of South Africa and Emaswati that the facilitation of deportation of the individuals poses no security risk to any other parties both within and outside the facilities in which they are currently housed.
The minister stated that Eswatini in all its dealings with external parties is guided by its foreign policy principle of “Having No Enemy – Anginasitsa,” and the Kingdom is committed to fostering peace, goodwill and cooperation globally.
“This philosophy underpins our longstanding role as a sanctuary for displaced persons and a mediator in regional and international affairs.
“In line with this legacy, Eswatini is faciliting the safe and orderly repatriaciation of those individuals to their countries of origin, while addressing the sensitivities surrounding their criminal backgrounds,” she said.
The ministry stated that the five individuals were convicted of standard criminal offenses, comparable to those of other inmates currently held in the country’s correctional system.
“They are held under the highest security protocols in our most secure facilities, ensuring there is no cause for concern regarding potential escapes. Through His Majesty’s Correctional Services, we leverage internationally recognized rehabilitation programmes to support the reintegration of displaced persons. In collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), we are providing logistical support and tailored reintegration assistance to ensure a sustainable transition for these individuals upon their return to their home countries,” the minister assured.
The ministry stated that the Kingdom of Eswatini deeply values its enduring partnership with the Republic of South Africa and is committed to open communication and cooperation on this matter.
“We express our gratitude for the continued support and understanding of our partners as we work together to address the shared concerns,” the ministry stated.
The minister confirmed that they have already responded formally to the concerns being raised in the Non-Paper Dermarche received on Monday.
Shakantu said this country’s legacy informs its approach to the current situation, ensuring that Eswatini’s actions reflect both compassion and responsibility.
She noted that the Kingdom of Eswatini is a trusted mediator and sanctuary for displaced persons, regardless of the circumstances leading to their displacement.
The minister’s reference to being a trusted mediator and sanctuary for displaced persons is drawn from the country’s role at the height of civil wars across the continent, including the apartheid South Africa, in Mozambique, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This era saw many of these country’s displaced citizens seeking refugee status in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
As a result of the influx, the country had to create two centres at Malindza and Ndvevane Refuge Centres, while no specific centre was created for South Africans as they integrated freely with emaSwati.
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