Mbabane, Eswatini – October 6, 2025: The Kingdom of Eswatini has announced that it will receive 11 additional third-country nationals deported from the United States later this month, under a controversial and largely undisclosed bilateral arrangement that has ignited both domestic and international criticism.
According to a government statement released on Sunday evening, the new group of migrants will arrive in the country “later in October” and will be housed “in a secured area separate from the public while arrangements are made for their return to their countries of origin.” However, authorities declined to provide the exact date of their arrival, citing “security and diplomatic considerations.”
The announcement follows the arrival of the first batch of five deportees in July, marking Eswatini’s quiet participation in a broader U.S. immigration strategy aimed at expelling migrants who are living illegally in the United States.
Background to the Controversial Agreement
The agreement between Eswatini and the United States is believed to have been reached earlier this year under President Donald Trump’s renewed crackdown on illegal immigration. The U.S. administration has pursued a series of deals with small or developing nations willing to temporarily host deportees from third countries while Washington arranges their eventual repatriation.
Under these arrangements, migrants from various nations are flown to countries that have no direct connection to their citizenship but have agreed, often in exchange for financial or diplomatic incentives, to house them temporarily.
The first group of five migrants sent to Eswatini in July included nationals from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen. According to Eswatini’s government, one deportee—a Jamaican man—has already been repatriated with the cooperation of his home government, while two others are expected to be sent back in the coming weeks.
The remaining deportees are reportedly still in Eswatini under restricted supervision as authorities work through the legal and logistical challenges of securing their safe return.
Domestic Backlash and Legal Challenge
The deal has sparked significant backlash within Eswatini, a small, landlocked nation bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. Civil society organizations and human rights activists have condemned the arrangement as secretive, unconstitutional, and potentially dangerous.
The Eswatini Human Rights Forum and several local lawyers have filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the agreement, arguing that it was reached without parliamentary approval and violates both national and international obligations regarding asylum seekers and migrants.
“We cannot allow our country to become a dumping ground for other nations’ rejected migrants,” said Sipho Dlamini, a spokesperson for the advocacy group. “This arrangement undermines the sovereignty of Eswatini and puts vulnerable people at risk.”
Opposition figures have also called for greater transparency, urging the government to disclose the financial or diplomatic terms of the deal with Washington. Some lawmakers have accused the administration of compromising the country’s reputation for a “few million dollars in aid.”
Human Rights Concerns
International human rights groups have also raised alarm over reports of poor conditions faced by the first batch of deportees. According to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, at least two members of the initial group were allegedly held in solitary confinement inside a high-security prison facility on the outskirts of Mbabane.
The organizations claim that the deportees were denied access to legal counsel, consular assistance, and communication with their families, which they say constitutes a violation of international human rights standards.
“These individuals are not criminals; they are people caught in the crossfire of a political and diplomatic arrangement,” said Sarah Khan, Amnesty International’s regional director for Southern Africa. “Their detention without due process or legal recourse is deeply troubling.”
The Eswatini government has denied the allegations, maintaining that the migrants were “treated humanely and provided with adequate shelter, food, and medical care.” A government spokesperson insisted that the deportees were housed “in secure facilities” only to ensure their safety and compliance with immigration procedures.
U.S. Role and Regional Reactions
Officials from the U.S. Embassy in Eswatini have so far declined to comment on the specific details of the arrangement but reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to “working with international partners to ensure safe and humane deportations.”
Analysts say the deal mirrors similar arrangements the U.S. government has pursued with other small nations in Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific, as part of a broader effort to outsource immigration enforcement.
Regional governments, however, have expressed unease over the precedent such agreements could set. Some Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states fear that accepting third-country deportees could strain limited resources and expose them to international scrutiny.
“This kind of agreement creates a legal and moral grey area,” said Dr. Thandi Maseko, a migration policy expert at the University of Pretoria. “Countries like Eswatini risk becoming holding grounds for people who have no legal connection to the nation, without adequate frameworks for protection or accountability.”
Questions of Transparency and Accountability
Critics argue that the Eswatini government’s refusal to disclose details of the agreement—including its duration, scope, and financial terms—undermines public trust and democratic oversight.
Local media outlets have reported that the deal may have been negotiated through back channels, bypassing parliamentary scrutiny and the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“There has been no open debate, no documentation shared with the public, and no clear indication of what benefits, if any, Eswatini gains from this deal,” said Mandla Khumalo, an investigative journalist in Mbabane. “This secrecy only fuels suspicion that the arrangement serves political or financial interests rather than national security or humanitarian goals.”
Meanwhile, ordinary citizens have expressed mixed feelings. Some residents argue that the country should not interfere in U.S. immigration matters, while others say Eswatini has a moral obligation to assist migrants caught in desperate situations.
Government Defends Its Position
Despite mounting criticism, the Eswatini government has defended the deportation arrangement, describing it as a “temporary and humanitarian measure.”
A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the country’s role is “purely logistical” and that none of the deportees will be granted permanent residency or asylum.
“The individuals are only here in transit. They will be repatriated to their countries of origin once the necessary documentation and clearances are completed,” the official said.
The government further insisted that Eswatini’s participation in the U.S.-led programme aligns with international cooperation standards and does not violate any national laws.
Uncertain Future
As the small kingdom prepares to receive the next group of 11 deportees, questions remain over the transparency, legality, and ethical implications of the secretive deal.
Human rights organizations continue to demand access to detention facilities and greater clarity on the migrants’ welfare, while opposition parties are calling for a parliamentary inquiry.
With the debate far from over, Eswatini finds itself at the centre of a global immigration controversy—caught between diplomatic cooperation with a major world power and growing domestic pressure to uphold human rights, sovereignty, and transparency.
By Africa Live News Staff Writer
