The United States transferred five men to the Kingdom of Eswatini under a controversial third-country deportation programme.
The deportees, citizens of Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen and Laos, arrived by aircraft in the small southern African nation, though precise details of their arrival location and timing remained undisclosed.
This action follows the recent deportation of eight individuals to South Sudan after the US Supreme Court removed legal barriers preventing removals to countries where detainees lack established ties.
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin characterised the men as dangerous criminals whose home nations had refused repatriation. In a social media statement, she asserted they comprised “individuals so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back,” adding they had been “terrorising American communities” but were now “off of American soil.”
McLaughlin specified convictions included murder and child rape, with one individual identified as a “confirmed” gang member.
Secrecy and human rights concerns
Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, an absolute monarchy ruled by King Mswati III since 1986, faces scrutiny over the opaque arrangement. The nation of 1.2 million people, situated between South Africa and Mozambique, maintains Africa’s last absolute monarchy and has faced sustained criticism for suppressing political dissent.
Ingiphile Dlamini, spokesperson for the pro-democracy movement SWALIMO, highlighted the concerning lack of transparency:
There has been a notable lack of official communication from the Eswatini government regarding any agreement or understanding with the US to accept these deportees. This opacity makes it difficult for civic society to understand the implications.
This deportation occurs alongside revelations about accelerated removal procedures. A recent memorandum from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting director Todd Lyons permits deportations to third countries with just six hours’ notice in “exigent circumstances,” though typically allowing 24 hours for detainees to consult legal representation.
Broader deportation strategy
The administration actively seeks additional African partners for this programme, having discussed the matter during last week’s White House summit with West African leaders.
While Rwanda confirms ongoing negotiations, Nigeria has explicitly rejected US pressure to accept third-country deportees.
Parallel developments in South Sudan underscore the policy’s contentious nature. Eight men deported earlier this month – including citizens of Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Vietnam, and one South Sudanese national – are now reportedly “under the care of the relevant authorities” in Juba according to the South Sudanese Foreign Ministry, which described the acceptance as a “gesture of goodwill.”
South Sudan responded positively to a request from the US authorities as a gesture of goodwill, humanitarian cooperation and commitment to mutual interests.
Nevertheless, prominent South Sudanese civic leader Edmund Yakani condemned the move, declaring his nation was “not a dumping ground for criminals.” Analysts suggest economically vulnerable African states might acquiesce to such arrangements in exchange for favourable US treatment regarding tariffs, foreign aid, or visa restrictions.
