Eswatini has confirmed the arrival of 11 more deportees from the United States, that marked the fourth group transferred under a bilateral agreement between the two countries. The agreement was worth about $6.1 million (E/R100 million), which allows up to 160 third country nationals to be relocated to Eswatini. A total of 29 people have arrived so far and are being held at a correctional facility.
The latest arrival consists of individuals from various African countries that are currently being held at the Matsapha Correctional Center near the capital city of Mbabane. Under this agreement, people could see up to 160 individuals relocated, as the US has provided Eswatini approximately $5.1 million (over E100 million) to bolster migration and border management capabilities.
This program has drawn criticism widely from human rights lawyers over concerns regarding indefinite detention without charges and sparked regional security anxieties from neighbouring South Africa.
Eswatini 🇸🇿 has confirmed the arrival of 11 more deportees from the United States, marking the fourth group transferred under a bilateral agreement between the two countries.
The agreement, reportedly worth about $6.1 million ( E/R100 million ), allows up to 160 third country… pic.twitter.com/1UKMmOQdhK
— Africa View Facts (@AfricaViewFacts) July 10, 2026
Acting Government Spokesperson – Thabile Mdluli said that the group is predominantly from African countries and would remain in the kingdom temporarily while their rights are being protected strongly.
Mdluli further stated that the government has reaffirmed that during their temporary stay in the Kingdom, the fundamental rights of the third-country nationals will be respected and protected in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom of Eswatini and the international obligations of the Kingdom.
As per the sources, some advocates stated that under this series of often-secret agreements that are part of a broad US crackdown on immigration, the administration of US President Donald Trump has deported thousands of people to nearly 24 countries that are not even their own.
Considering this Mdluli said that measures were in place to safeguard Eswatini’s security and that of its residents while the deportees remain in the country. The latest arrived people are expected to be housed at Matsapha Maximum Security Prison.
Notably, Eswatini is a country of about 1.2 million people that touches border with South Africa. It began accepting third-country nationals deported from the United States in 2025 under an agreement to host people who cannot be returned directly to their countries of origin. The latest arrivals are the fourth group received under the deal and there are more to receive.