The United States government has deported five migrants convicted of violent crimes to Eswatini, according to an announcement by the Department of Homeland Security on July 16, 2025. The individuals—originally from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen—arrived in Eswatini after their own home countries refused to accept them. DHS officials described the deportees as perpetrators of exceptionally serious crimes, including murder and sexual abuse of minors[1][3][5]. The deportation follows a recent Supreme Court ruling permitting the U.S. to deport noncitizens to third countries that are not their homelands, even when the individuals have no ties to those countries, as long as assurances are given regarding their safety. No public statements have been made by Eswatini’s government regarding any deal or the fate of these individuals inside the country[5].
In the domestic political context, social stability in Eswatini is projected to remain high in 2025. Analysts expect that significant protests are unlikely due to a weakened opposition and the country’s limited democratic space. Political parties remain banned, and recent events—including alleged poisoning attempts on opposition leaders in exile—have further dampened opposition momentum[2].
However, concerns about human rights and political freedom persist. On July 14, 2025, Amnesty International criticized the Eswatini government for ongoing delays in hearing appeals for detained opposition parliamentarian Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza. This draws attention to broader issues around judicial independence and the rights of political prisoners following previous convictions of opposition MPs under anti-terror laws widely viewed as politically motivated[7][4].
In economic news, the African Development Bank in March 2025 approved a new Country Strategy Paper for Eswatini (2025-2030), aiming to diversify and strengthen the country’s economy. The strategy emphasizes investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and private sector competitiveness, aligning with Eswatini’s National Development Plan and the Bank’s priorities[6].
References
- [1] Trump admin. deports migrants to Eswatini – UPI.com
- [2] Social Stability In Eswatini To Persist In 2025; However, Underlying Risks Remain
- [3] US deports criminals to Eswatini after home countries reject them
- [4] Eswatini | The Global State of Democracy – International IDEA
- [5] The US sends third-country deportees to the small African kingdom …
- [6] African Development Bank approves new country strategy paper to …
- [7] Eswatini: Authorities must ensure access to justice for opposition MP …