The Kingdom of Eswatini has acknowledged receiving over five million dollars from the United States as part of an arrangement to accept individuals deported from American soil. This confirmation marks the first official statement regarding financial terms tied to the controversial relocation program.
Under agreements established during the previous U.S. administration, at least five African nations reportedly entered into arrangements to receive deportees. Eswatini’s involvement came to light when the country’s finance minister verified that $5.1 million had been transferred to government accounts specifically designated for managing the deportation program.
The funds were reportedly intended to strengthen border security and migration management capabilities. However, the finance minister revealed that the money had been channeled through the national disaster management agency, raising procedural questions about the transfer’s legality since that agency lacks authorization to manage such appropriations.
Fifteen individuals have been transferred to Eswatini under this arrangement, though documents indicate the agreement covered up to 160 deportees. These individuals are currently held in a maximum-security facility while legal challenges question the validity of their detention. Local advocacy groups have initiated court proceedings contesting the lawfulness of the detainments.
The southern African kingdom, which maintains an absolute monarchy, now faces scrutiny over both the terms of the international agreement and the domestic handling of the transferred funds. The finance minister has committed to regularizing the financial procedures while the broader legal and humanitarian implications of the deportation program continue to unfold.
