Audio By Carbonatix
Eswatini received $5.1 million from the U.S. government under a deal to accept third-country nationals deported by the Trump administration, its finance minister said on Tuesday.
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.
The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.
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.
Latest Stories
-
NSMQ 2026: Kumasi Academy storms back to nationals with commanding 63-point victory
15 minutes -
NSMQ 2026: Nyakrom SHS secures second-ever NSMQ qualification as twin sisters steal spotlight in emotional qualifier
20 minutes -
One Year On: Sneak peek inside Daddy Lumba’s final resting place
54 minutes -
NSMQ 2026: Aggrey Memorial qualifies for nationals after hard-fought Central region qualifier win
1 hour -
Elsie Appau-Klu receives ‘Excellence in Public Policy and Governance’ honours in London
1 hour -
NSMQ 2026 : St. Hubert’s Seminary SHS completes comeback against Afua Kobi to book national championship place
2 hours -
Emotional scenes as family marks One Year Anniversary of Lumba’s passing
3 hours -
First-ever Wa Vendors Expo sparks economic boom and empowers female entrepreneurs
3 hours -
Joshua knocked down twice as dramatic win sets up Fury fight
3 hours -
Glasgow 2026: Ghanaian boxer Amadu Mohammed makes Bantamweight quarters after 1st round stoppage of Temakau
3 hours -
NSMQ 2026: Edinaman SHS storms to nationals with highest opening score in Central region qualifiers
4 hours -
‘It’s not just an inconvenience’: We’ve underestimated the health impacts of heavy periods
4 hours -
Sonzele Community Bank works to meet BoG’s GH₵5m capital requirement, declares 25.8% dividend
4 hours -
Bohyen chief appeals for fire station
4 hours -
Martin Kpebu says legal vacation could delay Wontumi’s bail application
4 hours