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Today in Africa — April 10, 2026: U.S. Refugee Shift Sparks Tensions, U.S. Deportees in Eswatini Granted Lawyer Access After 9 Months

OkayAfrica has scoured the Internet for today’s major news stories, so you don't have to. On April 10, coverage includes: a sharp shift in U.S. refugee admissions overwhelmingly favoring white South Africans; an Eswatini court ruling that grants deported migrants long-denied access to legal counsel; and more.

Lihle Z. Mtshali
Lihle Z. Mtshali Today in Africa & Newsletter Editor
Newly arrived South Africans wait to hear welcome remarks from U.S. government officials in a hangar at Atlantic Aviation Dulles, near Washington Dulles International Airport, on May 12, 2025, in Dulles, Virginia.
The U.S. has admitted 4,500 refugees in the past six months, but only three of them are not white Afrikaners from South Africa.

Every day, OkayAfrica shares a roundup of news we’re following but haven’t published as full articles. These short updates cover what’s happening on the continent — in culture, politics, and beyond. For more on stories like these, be sure to check out our News page, with stories from across the regions.

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U.S. Admits 4,500 Refugees in Six Months — Nearly All Are White South Africans

New U.S. data shows a sharp shift in refugee admissions under President Donald Trump, with nearly all arrivals since October 2025 coming from South Africa. The change follows a policy that halted most refugee intake while prioritizing white Afrikaners, a move that has fueled diplomatic tensions with Pretoria and drawn criticism over claims of persecution.

What the numbers show:

  • 4,499 refugees admitted since October 2025, with only 3 from outside South Africa

  • 125,000 refugees from 85 countries were admitted in the previous fiscal year

  • 2,848 South Africans arrived in just February and March this year

  • The first group of 68 South African refugees arrived in May last year

  • The largest group has settled in Texas, with 543 people

Eswatini Court Grants Lawyers Access to U.S. Deportees After 9-Month Standoff

Eswatini’s Supreme Court has ruled that four men deported from the United States can finally meet a lawyer after being denied in-person legal access for nine months while held in a maximum-security prison. The decision challenges the government’s claim that the men had no right to counsel, highlighting growing scrutiny of Washington’s third-country deportation deals with African states.

What’s behind the case:

  • The men are from Cuba, Yemen, Laos, and Vietnam, and had completed U.S. prison sentences before deportation.

  • They have been held at the Matsapha Correctional Complex without charges in Eswatini

  • The U.S. agreed to pay Eswatini $5.1 million to accept deportees

  • Eswatini has received at least 19 deportees, with two already repatriated

  • Other African countries in similar deals include Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana, Cameroon, South Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, and the Democratic Republic of Congo

African-Linked Tankers Resume Hormuz Passage as Iran Tightens Control

African-linked vessels have begun cautiously moving through the Strait of Hormuz after a fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire, with some ships allowed through while others are turned back. The limited traffic highlights Iran’s continued control over the key oil route, as disruptions keep hundreds of vessels stranded and raise concerns over global supply and costs.

What to watch:

  • The Gabon-flagged tanker MSG carried 7,000 tonnes of fuel oil from the UAE to India

  • A Liberia-flagged tanker also completed a transit after leaving Iran’s Bandar Abbas port

  • A Botswana-flagged LNG vessel was, however, forced to reverse course by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard

  • Only about 12 ships have crossed since the ceasefire, compared to 100+ daily under normal conditions.

  • Over 600 vessels, including around 325 tankers, remain stranded in the Gulf

In Brief: More Stories Today

Tanzanian Singer Matonya Charged With Rape in Kenya

Popular Tanzanian bongo flava artist Matonya has been charged with rape in Kenya and denied the allegation in a Mombasa court. Prosecutors say the incident happened in a Nyali apartment, and the court granted bail while ordering him to surrender his passport as the case proceeds.

Mali Backs Morocco’s Western Sahara Plan, Drops Sahrawi Recognition

Mali has endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara and says it no longer recognizes the Sahrawi Republic. The move aligns Mali with several African countries backing Rabat’s position in the decades-long territorial dispute.

Ghana Moves to Cut Fuel Costs as Prices Surge

Ghana says it will remove some fuel-related taxes and charges to ease rising pump prices driven by global oil shocks. The temporary measures will take effect within a week, with further details to follow after consultations.

Nigeria’s Airspace Monitoring at Risk as Radar Systems Age

Nigeria’s airspace could face serious safety risks as outdated radar systems near the end of their lifespan, aviation officials warn. Budget cuts, obsolete equipment, and funding challenges are limiting upgrades, raising concerns about meeting international safety standards.

CAF President Backs Corruption Probe Amid AFCON Controversy

Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe says he would support any investigation into corruption within the body as fallout continues over Senegal’s stripped Africa Cup of Nations title. The decision has shaken confidence in CAF, with the case now heading to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

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