Eswatini was among the first African countries to signal its willingness to participate in a contentious United States initiative to relocate deported migrants to third countries, stepping forward despite growing legal and humanitarian concerns surrounding the programme.
According to three senior government sources familiar with the discussions, Prime Minister Russell Dlamini held a private meeting in mid February last year with then Acting United States Charge d’Affaires Caitlin Piper after being informed through diplomatic channels that President Donald Trump was seeking African partners to assist in receiving migrants deported from the United States.
The proposal forms part of a broader effort by Washington to accelerate deportations by transferring migrants to countries other than their own, a strategy that has drawn increasing scrutiny from legal experts and human rights organisations. Critics argue that such arrangements risk undermining established international protections, particularly when individuals are sent to states where they have no prior ties, legal standing or support systems.
Eswatini’s swift response underscores the delicate position faced by smaller states navigating relationships with major global powers. Cooperation with the United States can offer diplomatic and economic advantages, including the prospect of increased development support and strengthened bilateral ties. At the same time, involvement in controversial migration policies carries potential reputational costs and raises questions about adherence to international law.
Details of the terms discussed between Eswatini and the United States remain unclear, and officials have yet to publicly outline the scope of any agreement or the conditions under which deported individuals would be received. The absence of transparency has fuelled concern among observers, particularly regarding the long term welfare of migrants who may be relocated to unfamiliar environments with limited institutional support.
The development also reflects a wider trend in United States migration policy, as authorities explore alternative mechanisms to manage rising numbers of deportations. Several African countries have reportedly been approached in similar discussions, prompting debate across the continent about sovereignty, responsibility and the ethics of third country arrangements.
For Eswatini, the decision to engage early in these talks places it at the centre of a complex and evolving issue that intersects diplomacy, migration governance and human rights. As the policy continues to take shape, its implications for both participating states and affected individuals are likely to remain under close scrutiny.
