July 17, 2025 | A wave of anger is sweeping across parts of Africa, including the small kingdom of Eswatini, after it was revealed that the United States deported several individuals, described by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson as “depraved monsters,” to the country’s prison system.
Eswatini, a landlocked nation in southern Africa roughly the size of New Jersey and ruled by an absolute monarch, confirmed Wednesday that five such deportees from the U.S. are now being held in segregated prison units. While the Eswatini government acknowledged the public’s growing concern, it asserted that these individuals “pose no danger to national security or the public.”
According to acting government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, the transfers were the outcome of “months of extensive and high-level diplomatic talks” between U.S. and Eswatini officials. Despite the government’s reassurances, criticism is mounting both domestically and across the continent.
Opponents of the deportation deal accuse the Eswatini government of allowing the country to be used as a dumping ground for dangerous individuals the U.S. no longer wants. Human rights advocates have voiced alarm over the ethical implications of accepting foreign criminals with no previous ties to the region.
Broader U.S. Strategy in Africa Under Fire
CNN reports that this controversial deportation is part of a broader, behind-the-scenes U.S. strategy to secure deportation agreements with African countries, especially under the immigration crackdown pursued by former President Donald Trump.
While Trump’s administration gained international attention for deporting large numbers of Central Americans to prisons in countries like El Salvador, it has also worked quietly to reach similar arrangements with African governments. These efforts have intensified as some nations — including those of origin — have refused or hesitated to accept back their nationals.
In one instance documented by CNN, undocumented migrants — many in shackles — were transported by ICE from Kansas City International Airport to detention centers in states like Texas, Arizona, and Louisiana, where some were eventually deported to third-party countries such as Eswatini.
Countries like Nigeria have openly criticized Washington’s tactics. Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar condemned what he called “significant pressure” from the U.S. to accept deportees, including non-Africans such as Venezuelans. Speaking in a televised interview, Tuggar pointed to Washington’s recent actions, including increased tariffs and shorter visa validity periods, as political leverage tied to deportation compliance.
The controversy has sparked new debate over international responsibility, sovereignty, and the ethics of offloading migrants to countries with little say in the matter. For many African nations, the issue raises broader questions about the balance of power and dignity in global diplomacy.
July 17, 2025 | Adapted from CNN reporting | CNN REPORT
