Eswatini Confirms $5.1 Million Deal with the US to Accept Deportees Amid Human Rights Concerns
Eswatini has confirmed receiving $5.1 million from the United States in exchange for agreeing to accept foreign nationals deported under a US immigration arrangement. The disclosure was made in parliament by Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg, who revealed that his ministry was informed of the agreement only after it had already been signed.
According to documents seen by human rights organizations, the deal allows Eswatini to receive up to 160 deportees. To date, the US has deported 15 men to the country — five in July and ten more in October — from nations including Vietnam, Cuba, Laos, Yemen, the Philippines, and Jamaica. The deportees are currently held in a maximum-security facility under the supervision of Eswatini’s Correctional Services.
The funds were deposited into the account of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), although Rijkenberg noted that the money has not yet been formally appropriated or spent, pending procedural approval. The US reportedly covers costs related to the men’s detention, welfare, and eventual repatriation.
The arrangement has sparked criticism and legal challenges. Human rights lawyers argue that the deal lacked transparency and may violate Eswatini’s constitution. Activists have warned that the country risks becoming a “dumping ground” for foreign convicts. Reports also indicate that conditions for the deported men are harsh, raising further human rights concerns.
Government officials, however, have defended the agreement. Acting spokesperson Thabile Mdluli emphasized that the US is funding all operational costs associated with the deportees and that all individuals will eventually be returned to their home countries.
Despite the official defense, the deal has prompted public debate over Eswatini’s role in international deportation policies, the treatment of foreign nationals in detention, and the broader implications for human rights in the country. Legal proceedings are ongoing, as courts consider whether the arrangement was conducted lawfully and with appropriate oversight.
The Eswatini–US deportee agreement highlights the delicate balance between international cooperation and the protection of human rights, raising important questions about transparency, accountability, and the welfare of vulnerable individuals involved in cross-border deportations.
Source: Thepressradio.com
