There is a growing backlash on the African continent against the deportation of third-country nationals from the United States, as Washington DC continues to pursue a policy one analyst says reflects the "very transactional" way the current administration is approaching relations with Africa. As part of President Trump's campaign pledge to "carry out the largest deportation operation in American history", the US government has so far struck deals with at least ten African countries to accept deportees, the majority of whom are not citizens of the receiving African country.
Individuals from countries such as Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, Jamaica and Myanmar have been sent to African countries because their own countries refused to cooperate in the deportation process.
The deals have been criticised for being secretive and opaque. Analysts believe that they include security incentives and economic arrangements such as relief from tariffs. Aimée-Noël Mbiyozo, senior research consultant at the Institute for Security Studies, has noted that "many African states have entered into agreements to avoid tariffs or visa restrictions, or to receive funding or security."
The deportation deals have proved to be controversial in Africa - particularly when they involve violent criminals. In July the US deported five men convicted of crimes including child rape and murder to Eswatini. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary at the US Homeland Security Department, said "this flight took individuals so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back." The government of Eswatini declined to tell the BBC whether it had been paid.
Originally published by African Business.