Eswatini soldiers accidentally shoot two US government officials during anti-smuggling operation

According to the government of Eswatini, two US government staffers were wounded when soldiers from the Southern African country opened fire on them during an anti-smuggling operation.

• Two US government staffers were wounded by Eswatini soldiers during an anti-smuggling operation in Maphiveni.
• The exact reasons for the American officials' presence in the area and the circumstances leading to the shooting remain unclear.
• Eswatini's government has launched an inquiry into the incident and promised cooperation with US authorities.
• Eswatini recently agreed to accept up to 160 deportees from the US in exchange for $5.1 million to improve border and migration infrastructure, but legal challenges have arisen over detainees.

The event occurred on Friday in Maphiveni, a remote village about two hours from Eswatini's capital, Mbabane, according to Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli in a statement released late Monday.

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Authorities have yet to reveal what the American officials were doing in the region or explain the events that resulted in the shooting.

Mdluli said Eswatini's armed forces had launched an inquiry to determine how the event occurred, as reported by Reuters.

The government spokesperson also assured that Eswatini is going to cooperate with US authorities as investigations continue.

Despite the event, Eswatini stated that it was dedicated to maintaining and strengthening its strong diplomatic ties with Washington.

The US State Department did not reply to requests for comment at the time of publication.

The shooting came as Eswatini is maintaining good ties with the United States under President Donald Trump.

The southern African nation, last year, agreed to accept deportees from the United States under an agreement worth millions.

Eswatini deportation deal with the US

Under the terms of the deal, Eswatini will receive a $5.1 million payout from the U.S. government, officially designated to enhance the kingdom's border control and migration management infrastructure.

In exchange, the absolute monarchy agreed to accept up to 160 third-country nationals, acting as a temporary holding facility while final repatriation details are supposedly worked out.

The U.S. government applied intense diplomatic and economic pressure across the region, leveraging aggressive tactics that included threats of sweeping visa bans, trade tariffs, and the withholding of vital foreign assistance.

However, attorneys have filed legal challenges, claiming that some of the deportees are being detained in jail despite having previously served prison sentences for offenses committed in the United States.