Two US government officials injured in accidental shooting by Eswatini forces

Two U.S. government officials were accidentally shot and wounded by Eswatini's defense force during an anti-smuggling operation last week, according to the Southern African monarchy's government. The incident occurred in the rural village of Maphiveni, roughly a two-hour drive from the capital, Mbabane, on Friday, as reported by Acting government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli in a statement late on Monday.

It remains unclear what the U.S. personnel were doing in the area, but Mdluli stated that the army has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident. She further added that Eswatini remains in communication with the U.S. government as the investigation proceeds and is still committed to strengthening its long-standing relationship with Washington.

As of now, the U.S. State Department has not commented on the matter. Eswatini has a history of close ties with the U.S., particularly under President Donald Trump, receiving over 30 third-country deportees and agreeing to host 160 deportees under a $5.1 million agreement. However, this deal has faced legal challenges from those who argue that deportees are being detained even after serving their sentences for crimes committed in the U.S.