‘Not Trump’s dumping ground’: Outrage over arrival of foreign US deportees in tiny African nation

The southern African nation of Eswatini is under fire after accepting five foreign prisoners deported from the United States. The move has sparked outrage across the continent. Critics accuse the Trump administration of using Africa as a dumping ground for convicts rejected by their home countries.

Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, is a small, landlocked monarchy with a population of just over one million. Its government confirmed that five foreign nationals from Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, Yemen, and Vietnam arrived this week. All five were convicted of crimes in the U.S., including child rape, murder, and robbery.

They are being held in solitary confinement, according to Eswatini’s acting government spokesperson, Thabile Mdluli. She did not say how long they would remain in the country. “Critical engagements between stakeholders are still ongoing,” Mdluli said on Friday.

A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described the deported individuals as “depraved monsters.” The statement triggered further backlash.

Secrecy and Confusion

The Eswatini government said the deportation was the result of “months of robust high-level engagements” with U.S. officials. Mdluli confirmed that the terms of the agreement remain classified. No clear benefit to Eswatini has been disclosed.

Some local leaders fear more deportees are on the way. Civil society organizations, opposition leaders, and international observers have condemned the government’s decision.

“It is clear racism to think Africa is a dumping ground for Donald Trump,” said Lucky Lukhele of the Swaziland Solidarity Network. The group operates in exile from South Africa.

Domestic Challenges Mount

Eswatini is already struggling with high poverty, unemployment, and overcrowded prisons. According to the World Bank, over half its population lives on less than $4 a day. Human Rights Watch has noted a recent decline in civil liberties, including crackdowns on pro-democracy activists.

The People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), an opposition party, criticized the deal. “Our country must not be treated as a dumping ground for those deemed unfit to live elsewhere,” it said in a statement.

The Multi Stakeholder Forum, a coalition of civil society groups, added, “Eswatini’s sovereignty and dignity must not be traded off for unclear deals or political expediency.”

U.S. Pressure on African Nations

The Trump administration has ramped up efforts to deport migrants, particularly those with criminal convictions. Many countries, however, have refused to accept these individuals. Some, like Nigeria, have pushed back against U.S. pressure to take in migrants from unrelated nations.

“The U.S. is mounting considerable pressure on African countries to accept Venezuelans to be deported from the U.S.,” said Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar. He also cited rising tariffs and new visa restrictions as tools of political leverage.

The U.S. denies these claims. A White House official said the policy is focused solely on national security and immigration control. “The Trump Administration is committed to removing criminal illegal aliens from the United States,” the official said in a statement.

Broader Regional Impact

Eswatini is not the only country affected. Earlier this month, the U.S. deported eight migrants with criminal records to South Sudan. The region is already on the brink of civil war.

South African officials have voiced alarm. “Everyone knows that these fellows will want to move to South Africa,” said one diplomatic source. Another added that the deportations could be a deliberate attempt to destabilize the region.

South Africa itself refused a U.S. request to take in third-country deportees. Its government has also condemned recent tariffs imposed by the U.S., which include a 30% rate on some exports. Eswatini faces a 10% tariff starting August 1, raising concerns about economic fallout.

Experts Warn of Growing Risks

Ken Opalo, a professor at Georgetown University, warned African leaders not to trust the Trump administration’s deals. “It’s foolhardy for African countries to think they can expect a credible commitment,” he said. “Everything is subject to change.”

For now, the future of the five men in Eswatini remains uncertain. The government says it is working with the International Organization for Migration to return them to their countries of origin. But there is no timeline.

Public anger continues to rise. Many in Eswatini and beyond fear the nation’s role in this U.S. deportation policy may be just the beginning.

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