South Africa is monitoring developments as 11 more foreign nationals deported from the United States travel to Eswatini. The transfer has prompted renewed discussion about regional security and the human rights implications of the US deportation programme.
SECURE HOUSING BUT UNEASY NEIGHBOURS
Eswatini’s government confirmed that it will host the US deportees temporarily. The group will stay in a secure facility, separated from the public, until their repatriation is finalised. “They pose no security threat to either the nation or neighbouring countries,” Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli said.
Despite the assurance, unease remains. In July, Eswatini received five convicted criminals from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen. Most of them remain in custody under strict supervision.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has warned that the arrival of US deportees could increase cross-border risks. Officials fear some may attempt to enter South Africa illegally.
“While we respect Eswatini’s sovereignty, South Africa remains deeply concerned about the profile of these individuals and the potential threat they may pose to national security and immigration stability,” DIRCO said.
RIGHTS GROUPS CRITICISE US DEPORTATION PROGRAMME
The United States describes the removals as part of its “third-country deportation” programme, but rights organisations have condemned the practice as opaque and potentially unlawful.
Amnesty International previously raised concerns after July’s deportations, alleging that detainees in Eswatini were being held in maximum-security facilities without charge or access to legal representation. The group warned that such treatment violated international human rights standards and called for urgent intervention.
QUESTIONS GROW OVER A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT
The arrival of another group of US deportees has deepened unease across Southern Africa. As Washington expands what some have called an offshore deportation experiment, regional leaders and human rights defenders are bracing for consequences that could extend far beyond Eswatini’s borders.
