By Black Star News
Photos: YouTube Screenshots
The Eswatini government’s decision to accept immigration deportees from the right-wing Trump Administration is being condemned by opposition political groups and civil society and has been characterized as “human trafficking disguised as a deportation deal.”
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, recently accepted five deportees from the Trump Administration, who are increasing deportation to so-called “Third countries.” The five men are from the disparate countries of: Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen, Laos and Vietnam.
The country of South Sudan recently reached a similar deal with the Trump White House when eight people were deported there.
Eswatini is the last absolute monarchy in Africa and has been ruled since 1986 by King Mswati III.
Eswatini officials have reportedly refused to disclosed the terms of their deal with Trump, but the US is apparently paying for the costs of imprisoning these immigrants. The men are said to be in solitary confinement.
A coalition of seven groups released the following statement “This action, carried out without public consultation, adequate preparation, or community engagement, raises urgent questions about legality, transparency, and the safety of both the deported individuals and the people of Eswatini, especially women and girls.”
This week the organizations delivered a petition to the US embassy requesting that the US take back the deportees, and articulating their concern that Eswatini might become a “dumping ground for unresolved problems from elsewhere.” Protesters held signs saying things like: “Whose taxpayers?” and “Eswatini is not a prison for US rejects.”
The People’s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), the largest opposition group in Eswatini, delivered a statement saying, “Pudemo vehemently condemns the treacherous and reckless decision by King Mswati III’s regime to allow the United States of America to dump its most dangerous criminals on Swazi soil. This is not diplomacy but human trafficking disguised as a deportation deal. It is an insult to all Emaswati who value peace, security, and the sanctity of our homeland.”
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