Eswatini is among several African nations that agreed to receive third-country deportees as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Others include South Sudan, Ghana and Rwanda.

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Details of the agreements have not been disclosed, and Eswatini’s government is facing a lawsuit from human rights lawyers who claim the secretive deal was unconstitutional.

Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg confirmed the $5.1 million figure in a text message but declined to give further details, saying the transaction was handled by the prime minister and that he was unaware of it until afterwards.

Reuters has seen an unverified copy of the agreement which both governments have so far declined to comment on.

The document, signed on May 14 in Eswatini’s capital Mbabane, said that the U.S. would provide Eswatini with $5.1 million to “build its border and migration management capacity” and that in exchange, Eswatini would accept up to 160 third-country deportees.

“We have no comment on the details of our diplomatic communications with other governments,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said, adding that implementing the Trump administration’s immigration policies was a top priority.

The U.S. has sent at least 15 immigrants to Eswatini so far, from countries including Vietnam, Cuba, Laos, Yemen and the Philippines. They are imprisoned there, except for one who was repatriated to Jamaica.

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This is the second batch of deportees that the Trump administration has sent to Eswatini as part of its hard-line approach towards immigration.

The 10 have been “securely accommodated” and posed no threat to the public, Eswatini’s prison department said in a statement.

Eswatini human rights lawyer Mzwandile Masuku told the BBC he was “shocked and dismayed” that the government had taken in the group, despite an ongoing court case against the arrival of five deportees in July.

The US had described the five – from Jamaica, Cuba, Laos, Vietnam and Yemen – as “depraved monsters”.

The Jamaican has since been repatriated to his country of origin, while another two were expected to be repatriated soon, Eswatini’s government says.

In a statement on Sunday, the government said it would take in 11 deportees following an agreement with the US “to cooperate in this manner”.

It did not explain why only 10 had arrived.

Their names have not been made public.

The BBC reported in September that the Trump administration had told Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran man at the centre of a long-running immigration row, he could be deported to the southern African kingdom.

The administration alleges that he was a member of a transnational Salvadorian gang MS-13, which he denies.

He was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, and then returned to the US where he was detained and charged with human smuggling. He pleaded not guilty.

A US federal charge ruled on Friday that Mr Garcia’s prosecution could be for “vindictive” reasons, and he would hear more evidence before reaching a final decision.

The BBC has asked Eswatini government acting spokesperson Thabile Mdluli whether or not he was among the latest group to be deported.

In an earlier statement, she said the deportees would be kept in a “secured area separate from the public, while arrangements are made for their return to their countries of origin”.

Their arrival comes a day before a court case against the deportations is set to resume in the main city, Mbabane.

Mr Masuku, who represents civil society groups challenging the deal, said he would have expected the government to “respect the court process and await its ruling” before accepting more deportees.

In September, campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said it had seen the agreement between the Eswatini and US governments.

It provides for Eswatini to accept up to 160 deportees in exchange for $5.1m (£3.79m) from the US to build its “border and migration management capacity”, HRW said.

The Southern African Litigation Centre (SALC) – along with other civil society groups – argues that the government’s decision amounts to “executive over-reach” and Eswatini’s constitution states that such agreements should be reached with parliamentary consent, something that did not happen in this instance.

Activists also protested against the deal outside the US embassy when the first deportees arrived.

The civic groups say the deal is secretive and an example of “democratic regression”, 20 years after Eswatini adopted a constitution to give more of a say to parliament in a country where the king has long wielded absolute power.

“We would have expected this milestone to reflect a maturation of our democracy – stronger rule of law, greater accountability, and clearer separation of powers,” the SALC’s Melusi Simelane told the BBC.

The government is defending the case, saying it acted within its powers and that the constitution makes allowances for it to reach such agreements with foreign governments.

Some Eswatini MPs had previously raised concerns about the deal in parliament, but Prime Minister Russell Dlamini said it had been handled at “top clearance level”.

The deal also alarmed neighbouring South Africa, which expressed fears that the deportees could cross into the country via their porous border.

Ms Mdluli tried to allay the fears by saying the deportees were being held in solitary confinement in a secure facility.

Previously known as Swaziland, Eswatini is a small, landlocked country surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique. It has been led by King Mswati III since 1986.

Source: BBC

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The U.S. Homeland Security Department said on Tuesday that a deportation flight carrying immigrants from five countries had landed in Eswatini, after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on deporting migrants to countries that are not their own.

The five individuals on the flight were convicted criminals from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba and Yemen, it said. U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said on X that their home countries had refused to take them back.

“Government acknowledges the widespread concern regarding the deportation of third-country prisoners from the United States of America into the Kingdom of Eswatini,” said Eswatini’s acting government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli in a statement.

“Indeed, five inmates are currently housed in our correctional facilities in isolated units,” she said, adding that this was “the result of months of robust high-level engagements” with the United States government.

Eswatini, a landlocked nation in Southern Africa, is home to about 1.2 million people and is ruled by an absolute monarch who has been in power since 1986.

The statement said that Eswatini and the United States would “collaborate with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to facilitate the transit of the inmates to their countries of origin.”

The IOM could not immediately be reached for comment.

Source: Reuters

To him, the lifetime tenure of the chiefs should aid continuity in development by governments whose power is transient.

“Traditional leadership is a birthright, you are for every day, it means that the central governments can rely on traditional leadership, especially, on how to continue to develop the country,” he said.

Delivering a speech at the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi, King Mswati indicated traditional leaders, due to their proximity to the public, have firsthand information on national challenges, hence the need for strong partnership with the central government in dealing with them.

“The traditional authorities are the ones who can give good advice to the executive while they carry out development of the country,” he said.

He also admonished the chieftaincy institution to innovate and adapt to reclaim their role in development.

The King, who doubles as Eswatini Head of State, is on a visit to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. In 2015, the Asantehene visited the Southern African country, necessitating a return visit.

Though there is a cordial relationship between Eswatini and Ghana, the King acknowledged the need to strengthen ties for mutual benefit.

“Our aspirations should extend beyond cultural exchange since we have immense potential in tourism, trade and education. We envision your educators and entrepreneurs working alongside our innovators to preserve our knowledge and history,” King Mswati added.

Already, Ghana and the Eswatini have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a Joint Commission for Cooperation. The move aims to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two nations.

Meanwhile, President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohuo Yaw Gyebi II, has underscored the need for exchange of ideas in strengthening the Chieftaincy institution.

“This visit presents the opportunity for us to know at first hand the unique history, culture and traditional norms of Eswatini,” he said.

He further indicated that “from your side, you offer the unique insight into how traditional authority can co-exist with local and national governments for economic and social development of our people.”

The President of the National House of Chiefs further indicated, “from your side, you offer the unique insight into how traditional authority can co-exist with local and national governments for economic and social development of our people.”

The Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim emphasized the importance of the Chieftaincy institution to development.

He was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising government officials, traditional leaders, and business representatives.

Dressed in the traditional siSwasho — a cloth draped around the body and tied at the shoulder, often adorned with beads — the King was warmly welcomed at Kotoka International Airport by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah.

Also present at the airport were the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Xoese Dogbe; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; Minister for Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei; Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie; and members of the African diplomatic corps.

King Mswati III’s visit is expected to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Ghana and Eswatini, while deepening historical and cultural connections, especially between the Asante Kingdom and the southern African nation.

As part of his itinerary, the King will meet officials at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra before traveling to Kumasi later in the day.

In Kumasi, he will be the distinguished guest of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. His schedule includes visits to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and the Manhyia Palace Museum.

King Mswati III is also expected to address the National House of Chiefs and attend a grand durbar organized in his honour at Manhyia Palace.

A Royal Banquet will be held in Kumasi on Friday evening. On Saturday, the final day of his visit, King Mswati III will join the Asantehene at a ceremony at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) before departing Ghana.

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The visit is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24 to Saturday, June 28, spanning four days of official engagements.

King Mswati III is expected to arrive in Accra on Tuesday, June 24. Upon his arrival, he will be welcomed at the Presidency for bilateral discussions with President Mahama and a high-level Ghanaian delegation.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries is expected to be signed during this meeting.

On Tuesday afternoon, the King is scheduled to meet with officials at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra before departing for Kumasi later in the day.

In Kumasi, he will be the distinguished guest of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The itinerary in the Asante capital includes official visits to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and a tour of the historic Manhyia Palace Museum.

King Mswati III is also scheduled to address the National House of Chiefs and attend a grand durbar of chiefs organised in his honour at Manhyia Palace.

A Royal Banquet will be held in Kumasi on Friday evening. On Saturday, the final day of the visit, King Mswati III will join the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at a ceremony at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) before departing from Ghana.

King Mswati III’s visit is expected to significantly strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Ghana and the Kingdom of Eswatini, and deepen the historical and cultural links between the Asante Kingdom and the southern African nation.

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Ghana conceded early in the 5th minute through a defensive blunder which saw the host put the ball beyond Afi Amenyaku.

Beline Nyarko’s cross was shot into the top right corner by Mercy Attobra as Ghana drew parity in the 10th minute.

Beline Nyarko came close to giving the Princesses the lead but the attacker failed to utilize her chance.

Nyarko, however, made no mistake in the 28th minute after beautifully connecting Hellen Alormenu’s delicious.

The Black Princesses continued to dominate possession in midfield and in attack as the teams went into the break with Ghana leading 2-1.

Wasiima Mohammed’s superb strike at the edge of the 18-yard box extended the lead for the Black Princesses in the 49th minute before Success Ameyaa set up Sarah Nyarko for the 4th goal in the 59th minute.

With a few minutes to end proceedings, Mercy Attobra grabbed her brace to end the game 6:1 in favour of the Black Princesses.

Ghana will host Eswatini in the return fixture on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The squad will continue preparations to face Eswatini in the third-round qualifying match for the FIFA U20 women’s World Cup.

The team will miss the services of Ampem Darkoa’s Mary Amponsah, Comfort Yeboah, Deborah Brown, Tracy Twum and Abena Anomah Opoku due to the club’s participation in the CAF Women’s Champions League.

Ghanaian-born Martha Persia Oteng who plays for Tottenham Hotspur Women makes it to the squad for the first time.

The Black Princesses will look to book a seventh consecutive appearance at the biennial tournament in Colombia next year.

The team is expected to resume camping on Wednesday, October 25th, 5:00pm at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence.

Below are the invited players: