Eswatini Opposition Blasts US Deal as ‘Trafficking Disguised’

Outcry in Eswatini as U.S. Deports Five Foreign Nationals Under Controversial Deal

Civil society organizations and opposition leaders in Eswatini have condemned the recent transfer of five foreign nationals from the United States, accusing Washington of engaging in what they described as “human trafficking masked as deportation.” The country’s largest opposition party voiced sharp criticism over the move, demanding transparency and accountability.

The five men—originating from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen, and Cuba—were flown into Eswatini, a small landlocked nation in southern Africa, last week. The deportations come in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that opened the door for removals to so-called “third countries.”

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is bordered by South Africa and Mozambique and has a population of around 1.2 million. It remains Africa’s last absolute monarchy, governed by King Mswati III since 1986.

According to government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, the individuals are expected to remain in custody for roughly a year, though that timeline may vary. She added that Eswatini is open to receiving additional deportees, contingent upon capacity and future agreements with the United States.

This development follows similar deportations carried out by U.S. authorities, including eight individuals sent to South Sudan after reportedly being detained in a shipping container in Djibouti, and over 200 Venezuelan nationals relocated to El Salvador.

While Eswatini officials confirmed that the five detainees are being held in solitary confinement under secure conditions, they have declined to share details of the bilateral arrangement. It has only been disclosed that the U.S. is covering the costs of their incarceration and intends to coordinate with international bodies to eventually return the men to their countries of origin.

Public Backlash Grows in Eswatini Over U.S. Deportation Deal

Widespread skepticism continues to mount in Eswatini, as numerous civil society organizations and political figures voice concern over the arrival of five deported men from the United States. A coalition of seven women’s rights groups issued a strong statement condemning the move, citing a lack of public consultation and warning that the situation poses serious risks to both the deportees and local communities—particularly women and girls.

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“This decision was made without engaging the public or ensuring proper safeguards,” the coalition said, questioning the legality and transparency of the process.

On Monday, the coalition submitted a formal petition to the U.S. embassy in Mbabane, demanding that Washington reverse the deportations, uphold the deportees’ human rights, and ensure Eswatini does not become, in their words, “a dumping ground for unresolved international issues.”

The protest intensified on Friday as the group staged a demonstration outside the embassy. Participants sang, danced, and carried signs bearing messages such as: “Whose taxpayers?”, “Eswatini is not a prison for US rejects”, and “Take the five criminals back to the US!!”

The People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), Eswatini’s main opposition party, also condemned the arrangement in a sharply worded statement. “Pudemo strongly denounces the reckless and shameful decision by King Mswati III’s government to allow the United States to unload dangerous criminals onto Swazi soil,” the party said. “This is not diplomacy—it’s human trafficking disguised as deportation, and it violates the values of peace, safety, and national dignity that Emaswati hold dear.”

An umbrella body representing various NGOs also weighed in, calling the situation “extremely troubling.” The organization criticized the U.S. for using “stigmatizing and dehumanizing rhetoric” and called for the full terms of the bilateral agreement to be released. It also urged both governments to suspend the arrangement until transparent national dialogue and public consultations can take place.

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U.S. Defends Deportations as Eswatini Officials Assure Public of Security Measures

In a post shared on July 16 via X (formerly Twitter), U.S. Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the recent deportation of five men to Eswatini, describing them as individuals with extreme criminal histories. According to McLaughlin, the men had been convicted of serious offenses—including child rape, murder, and burglary—and were considered too dangerous for their countries of origin, which had refused to accept them back.

“These violent predators have inflicted terror in American communities,” she wrote. “Now, they are no longer on U.S. soil.”

Responding to growing public concern, Eswatini’s Prime Minister Russell Dlamini addressed local media on Friday, stating that authorities are fully equipped to handle the transferred inmates. “We currently house inmates with criminal records more severe than those of the five men received from the United States,” Dlamini said, expressing confidence in the country’s prison management systems.

Echoing that reassurance, corrections service spokesperson Baphelele Kunene urged the public not to panic. “The five individuals have been placed in one of our maximum-security facilities and are adjusting well,” Kunene said. “They are not receiving special treatment—they follow the same rules, eat the same meals, and are expected to abide by the same standards as every other inmate.”

However, Eswatini’s suitability as a recipient of high-risk foreign convicts has come under scrutiny. The U.S. State Department’s 2023 human rights report flagged serious issues within Eswatini’s justice system, including alleged extrajudicial killings, torture, politically motivated detentions, and a lack of judicial independence.

The nation’s political climate remains tense. Political parties are barred from contesting elections, a system supporters claim ensures MPs are more responsive to constituents. Yet repression continues to spark concern. Last September, Mlungisi Makhanya, leader of the banned People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), was reportedly poisoned in South Africa. Pudemo labeled the incident an assassination attempt—an allegation the Eswatini government firmly denied.