The government of Eswatini is facing sharp criticism after accepting five men deported from the United States, all accused or convicted of serious violent crimes, including murder and child rape.
The deportees citizens of Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen, and Laos are described by US officials as extremely dangerous individuals.
Eswatini authorities claim the men are in transit and being held in solitary confinement, but civil rights groups have condemned the government’s decision as a compromise of national sovereignty and a threat to local security.
These deportations are part of a wider crackdown on immigration by the US, under a policy that pressures African nations to take in third-country nationals when their home countries refuse to accept them.
The move has sparked both domestic and international outrage, with critics accusing the US of turning poorer African countries into dumping grounds for unwanted migrants and criminals.
Other countries, including Nigeria and South Sudan, have reported similar forms of pressure from the US amid shifting American visa and trade policies.
Human rights organizations across Africa warn that the practice raises serious concerns about legal responsibility, human rights, and the safety of host communities.
The controversy continues to fuel debate about migration policy and international cooperation, as well as the obligations of both sending and receiving countries regarding individuals involved in serious crimes.
