Eswatini Opposition Blasts US Deportee Deal as “Human Trafficking”

(Photos: YouTube Screenshots) - The Eswatini government's choice to accept deportees from the Trump Administration is inciting outrage among opposition parties and civil society, being labeled as “human trafficking masquerading as a deportation agreement.”Eswatini, previously called Swaziland, has recently allowed five deportees from the Trump Administration, part of a larger trend of steering individuals to so-called “Third countries.” These five individuals hail from various nations, including Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen, Laos, and Vietnam.Similarly, South Sudan engaged in a related agreement with the Trump administration, resulting in the deportation of eight individuals there.As Africa's last absolute monarchy, Eswatini, under King Mswati III since 1986, has remained secretive about the terms of its arrangement with the US, reportedly covering the costs of detaining these immigrants, who are allegedly in solitary confinement.Seven coalition groups have stated: “This decision, made without public consultation or community involvement, raises significant concerns regarding legality, transparency, and the safety of both deported individuals and Eswatini citizens.” They recently petitioned the US embassy, asserting that Eswatini risks becoming a “dumping ground for unresolved issues.” Protesters voiced their concerns with signs that read, “Whose taxpayers?” and “Eswatini is not a prison for US rejects.”The People's United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), the largest...