Keypoints:
- Five US-deported inmates placed in isolated units
- Government assures public of no threat
- Deportation followed months of diplomatic talks
THE Eswatini government has confirmed the arrival of five inmates deported from the United States, assuring citizens that they pose no threat to national security.
Acting government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, speaking on Wednesday, said the deportees are now housed in secure, isolated units within the kingdom’s correctional system.
‘Indeed, five inmates are currently housed in our correctional facilities in isolated units, where similar offenders are kept,’ Mdluli said in a government statement.
Public concerns acknowledged
Mdluli addressed growing public unease following reports of the deportation of third-country nationals from the US to Eswatini.
‘The government acknowledges the widespread concern regarding the deportation of third-country prisoners from the United States of America into the Kingdom of Eswatini,’ she said.
She explained that the repatriation was not sudden, but rather the result of a months-long process involving high-level diplomatic coordination between Eswatini and the United States. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is also supporting the process, facilitating the inmates’ eventual transfer to their home countries.
‘The engagements considered every avenue, including rigorous risk assessments and careful consideration for the safety and security of citizens,’ Mdluli said.
Bilateral ties and international protocols
Eswatini officials were keen to underscore the strong diplomatic foundation on which this arrangement was built.
‘The Kingdom and the United States have enjoyed fruitful relations spanning more than five decades, and every agreement is done with meticulous care and consideration, putting the interests of both nations at the forefront,’ said Mdluli.
She added that the kingdom remains committed to global norms.
‘As a responsible member of the global community, the Kingdom of Eswatini adheres to international agreements and diplomatic protocols regarding the repatriation of individuals, ensuring that due process and respect for human rights is followed.’
US confirms transfer after court ruling
The United States Embassy in Eswatini also released a statement to reassure the local population. Spokesperson Carly Van Orman confirmed the inmates are now in the care of Eswatini authorities, who are acting in line with both local law and international obligations.
‘The relevant authorities are ensuring the safety and well-being of these individuals in accordance with Eswatini’s sovereign laws and international norms and obligations,’ she said.
The US Department of Homeland Security revealed on Tuesday that the deportees were part of a broader removal operation that followed a US Supreme Court decision allowing deportations to third countries to resume.
‘A safe third country deportation flight to Eswatini in Southern Africa has landed. The flight took individuals so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back,’ said spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
Despite the strong language from US officials, Eswatini’s government insists the transfer has been handled responsibly and that there is no cause for alarm.
As diplomatic cooperation continues, both nations appear eager to ensure that the process remains orderly, secure, and compliant with international standards.
