Eswatini Repatriates Jamaican
Eswatini has repatriated a Jamaican national deported from the United States under President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown, the government said Monday. The man, identified as Orville Isaac Etoria, was among a group of five foreign nationals who were sent to the small southern African country in July. This repatriation, carried out quietly without public fanfare, highlights the complexities of third-country deportation agreements, where nations like Eswatini serve as temporary hosts for individuals whose home countries initially refuse to accept them back. As Eswatini navigates its role in this controversial US programme, questions linger about the treatment of the remaining detainees, public transparency, and the broader implications for the kingdom’s international relations and domestic stability. 
The saga began in July 2025 when the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) deported five individuals—described by American officials as “criminal illegal aliens”—to Eswatini under the Third Country Prisoners (TCP) Programme. This initiative, revived under the Trump administration’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement, allows the US to send deportees to willing third countries when their nations of origin delay or refuse repatriation. The five men, convicted of serious crimes in the US but having completed their sentences, arrived in Eswatini amid secrecy and immediate controversy. They hailed from Jamaica, Vietnam, Laos, Cuba, and Yemen, representing a diverse group caught in the web of international migration politics.  Etoria, the Jamaican national, had served time in the US for unspecified offences before being ordered deported. However, Jamaica’s initial reluctance to accept him led to his transfer to Eswatini, a landlocked kingdom in southern Africa known for its close ties to the US in certain diplomatic matters.
Upon arrival, the deportees were placed in solitary confinement at a maximum-security prison in Mbabane, Eswatini’s administrative capital. This isolation drew sharp criticism from human rights groups and the men’s legal representatives, who argued it violated basic standards of humane treatment. Lawyers for the detainees reported being denied access to their clients, raising alarms about potential mistreatment and lack of due process.  One lawyer, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the conditions as “harsh and unnecessary,” noting that the men had already served their US sentences and posed no immediate threat. The US embassy in Mbabane conducted a consular visit to Etoria on 21 August 2025, finding him “in good spirits,” but this did little to quell concerns from advocates who feared prolonged detention without oversight. 
Etoria’s repatriation unfolded discreetly over the weekend of 20-21 September 2025. He departed Mbabane on Saturday and was received in Jamaica the following day, according to acting government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli. The quiet nature of the operation—no press releases or official ceremonies—reflected Eswatini’s desire to avoid further spotlight on the deal, which has already stirred domestic unrest. Mdluli confirmed the development in a statement to media outlets, emphasising that Etoria’s return was facilitated through diplomatic channels between Eswatini, Jamaica, and the US. This marks the first successful repatriation from the group, providing a potential template for the others. 
“Engagements with the other four immigrants are currently ongoing, with a view to repatriating them to their respective countries,” Mdluli said. The remaining detainees—a Vietnamese national, a Laotian, a Cuban, and a Yemeni—continue to be held in Eswatini while negotiations proceed. Their home countries have cited various reasons for delays, including verification of identities, security assessments, and bureaucratic hurdles. Human rights organisations have urged swift action, warning that indefinite detention in a foreign land exacerbates trauma for individuals who have already endured long prison terms abroad.  For instance, the Yemeni deportee faces additional complications due to ongoing conflict in Yemen, where civil war has disrupted normal repatriation processes. Similarly, the Cuban national’s case involves strained US-Cuba relations, which often complicate deportations.
The TCP Programme itself has come under fire from international watchdogs. A joint report by human rights groups in September 2025 accused the US of flouting rights through such deals, arguing that deporting individuals to third countries without adequate safeguards risks arbitrary detention and abuse.  Eswatini’s involvement, reportedly set to accept up to 160 US deportees, has been labelled by critics as a form of “human trafficking disguised as diplomacy.” Opposition figures in Eswatini, including members of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), have decried the arrangement as unconstitutional, pointing out that no public consultations or parliamentary debates preceded the agreement. A court challenge filed in August 2025 seeks to nullify the deal, with petitioners arguing it endangers national security and burdens taxpayers without transparency. 
Public outrage has manifested in protests, both within Eswatini and abroad. Hundreds gathered outside the US embassy in Mbabane in late July 2025, chanting slogans against the deportation pact and demanding accountability from King Mswati III’s government. Demonstrators carried placards reading “No to Dumping Criminals in Our Land” and “Eswatini is Not America’s Prison.” The protests spread to South Africa, where Eswatini activists based in Pretoria rallied at the US embassy on 19 September 2025. About 100 pro-democracy supporters voiced their discontent, linking the issue to broader calls for political reform in Eswatini.  These actions reflect deep-seated frustrations with the kingdom’s absolute monarchy, where dissent is often met with suppression.
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland until its name change in 2018, is a small nation landlocked between South Africa and Mozambique. With a population of about 1.2 million, it relies heavily on agriculture, particularly sugar exports, and foreign aid. The country has maintained diplomatic ties with the US, including development assistance through programmes like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). However, critics argue that accepting deportees is a quid pro quo for economic favours, potentially at the expense of human rights. The US has defended the deportations, stating they target individuals who committed “barbaric” crimes, such as child rape and other violent offences, and that third-country arrangements are necessary when home nations drag their feet. 
At the heart of the controversy is King Mswati III, who has ruled since 1986 as Africa’s last absolute monarch. Now 57, the king wields unchecked power, appointing the prime minister and controlling key institutions. His reign has been marred by accusations of human rights violations, including the suppression of political parties—banned since 1973—and the use of force against protesters. In 2021, pro-democracy demonstrations turned deadly, with security forces allegedly killing dozens amid calls for multiparty elections.  International bodies like Amnesty International have documented cases of arbitrary arrests, torture, and restrictions on free speech. For example, in 2020, reports highlighted cruel treatment of detainees, including excessive force by police. 
The king’s lavish lifestyle has further fuelled discontent. Despite Eswatini’s high poverty rate—over 60% of the population lives below the poverty line—Mswati III is known for extravagant spending. He owns a fleet of luxury cars, including Rolls-Royces and BMWs, and has purchased private jets worth millions. In 2018, he reportedly spent $30 million on a new aircraft while the country faced economic hardships. His multiple wives—currently 15—and annual reed dance ceremonies, where young women perform for him, are seen by critics as symbols of excess. Reports from 2019 noted that amid a financial crisis, the king used public funds for personal luxuries, including overseas trips and palace renovations.  In 2023, investigations revealed alleged misuse of the national pension fund to support the royal family’s opulent living, including overseas properties and high-end shopping sprees.
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