Mbabane – Civil society groups have reacted angrily to the arrival of five non-Swazi migrants deported to Eswatini by the United States without public consultation or legal approval.
The Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO) said the move, carried out under a third-country deportation scheme, was a gross violation of Eswatini’s governance principles. The five deportees, who are originally from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen and Cuba, were reportedly flown into the country last week, with reports first surfacing on 15 July 2025 through international media outlets.
CANGO released a public statement on 16 July, warning that such deportations have no legal basis in Eswatini. The organisation said it was shocking that the deportation was done without informing the nation or seeking the approval of the people, adding that Eswatini had no obligation to host non-citizens forced in by external powers.
The group further questioned whether there was any formal agreement between the governments of Eswatini and the United States, warning that the country lacks proper infrastructure to host such deportees.
Prime Minister Russel Mmiso Dlamini addressed the nation on Friday, saying government was not losing or gaining anything by hosting the deportees and confirmed Eswatini was open to receiving more migrants under similar arrangements.
CANGO accused Washington officials of using dehumanising language when speaking about deportees and called on Eswatini authorities to reject any future deportation flights involving people with no connection to the country.
The organisation has demanded government release any agreements signed with the United States and called for a full review before accepting more deportation deals. It has also asked regional and international bodies, including SADC, the African Union and the United Nations, to intervene and investigate the legality of these deportations.
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