Eswatini repatriates Mauritanian and Congolese nationals who were previously deported from the United States under a bilateral agreement.
Eswatini has repatriated two foreign individuals from Mauritania and the Democratic Republic of Congo who were previously deported from the United States. The Mauritanian national departed on August 15, 2026, while the Congolese national left on August 16, 2026, to reunite with their families. These departures are part of a third-country deportation program established under a $5.1 million agreement with the administration. Under this deal, Eswatini agreed to accept up to 160 deportees from the United States. While the kingdom has already welcomed four individuals, the remaining deportees are currently held at the Matsapha Correctional Centre. The agreement has raised security concerns in neighboring South Africa, where officials expressed anxiety regarding the profile of the individuals, some of whom were described as violent criminals. Local critics have labeled the program a 'cash-for-criminals' deal, with some fearing the new prison blocks built with US funds may eventually house local political dissenters.