Eswatini Soldiers Open Fire on US Personnel During Anti-Smuggling Operation

MBABANE, Eswatini – The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini has confirmed that two United States government personnel were injured after being inadvertently shot by members of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) during an operation targeting suspected smuggling activities in the Lubombo Region.

The incident occurred in Maphiveni at about 10pm on Friday, 11 September 2026, and has prompted an internal investigation by the UEDF as Eswatini engages US authorities through diplomatic channels.

Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday, 14 September.

“The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini acknowledges an incident in which two United States Government personnel sustained injuries after being inadvertently shot by members of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) during an operation in Maphiveni, Lubombo Region, on Friday, 11 September 2026, at approximately 2200hrs.”

Mdluli said the government was treating the incident with the seriousness it warranted and that the UEDF had begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

“Government assures the nation and the Government of the United States of America that the incident is being treated with the seriousness it warrants. The UEDF has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident,” she said.

She added that Mbabane remained in contact with Washington as the investigation continued.

“Government is in communication with the US Government and will continue to engage through diplomatic channels as the investigation progresses,” Mdluli said.

She also reaffirmed Eswatini’s commitment to maintaining its relationship with Washington, saying the government “remains committed to preserving and strengthening its cordial and longstanding relations with the United States of America.”

Questions remain over the shooting

The government’s statement provides few details about how the shooting happened, including the identities and roles of the two US personnel, the extent of their injuries and the vehicle they were travelling in.

Local media reports have, however, provided additional details.

Swaziland News, citing army sources, reported that the shooting happened at a military roadblock in Maphiveni. According to the report, soldiers manning the checkpoint were allegedly unaware that a vehicle which made a U-turn near the roadblock was carrying US personnel.

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The soldiers reportedly opened fire after believing the vehicle was attempting to evade the checkpoint.

Carly Van Orman, spokesperson for the US Embassy in Eswatini, was quoted as confirming that the embassy was aware of the incident and was working with Eswatini authorities to establish what happened. She reportedly declined to provide further details, citing security considerations.

The account has not been independently confirmed by the Eswatini government or the US Embassy.

Previous incident involving US diplomatic vehicle

The latest shooting is not the first reported incident involving UEDF personnel and US-linked vehicles in Eswatini.

In July 2021, at the height of pro-democracy protests in the kingdom, Eswatini soldiers opened fire on a US diplomatic vehicle.

The US Embassy subsequently confirmed the incident through a diplomatic note sent to Eswatini’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs after details of the communication were leaked to local media.

The diplomatic note reportedly stated that a soldier fired three live rounds at the vehicle, with one bullet striking it.

The incident occurred amid a wider security crackdown during which Eswatini’s security forces, including the UEDF and Royal Eswatini Police Service, faced allegations from rights groups of using live ammunition against protesters and bystanders.

Security operations in Lubombo

The latest incident occurred in Lubombo, a region bordering both South Africa and Mozambique that has long been associated with informal cross-border movement and smuggling.

The UEDF is a relatively small military force, with an estimated 3,000 active-duty personnel. It operates under the command of King Mswati III, who is also the country’s head of state and substantive minister of defence.

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Beyond conventional defence responsibilities, the military has a significant role in internal security and protecting the monarchy. Its deployment in domestic operations has periodically brought soldiers into contact with civilians and cross-border traffic.

The circumstances surrounding the Maphiveni shooting are now likely to come under closer scrutiny as investigators establish how the US personnel came to be fired upon during the operation.

Diplomatic implications

Eswatini and the United States have maintained diplomatic relations since 1968, with Washington describing its policy as one of maintaining and strengthening bilateral ties.

The US has also supported Eswatini in areas including healthcare and social programmes. In recent years, the US Embassy in Mbabane has provided material assistance to the UEDF, including vehicles used to support HIV and tuberculosis health services for military personnel and their families.

That relationship gives the latest incident added diplomatic significance.

The outcome of the UEDF investigation, and the extent to which its findings are shared with US authorities and the Eswatini public, will likely determine how the incident affects relations between the two countries.

For now, the government has characterised the shooting as inadvertent and stressed that it remains committed to its relationship with Washington, while the investigation seeks to establish exactly what happened at the Maphiveni roadblock.