Trump using Africa as 'dumping ground' for convicts

Continent treated as both a talent mine and human waste repository - analyst

- PULE MAKGALE [e-mail]

DONALD Trump and his US administration are facing significant criticism over what has been called a ‘third country’ scheme to send criminals to Africa.

Activists, analysts, and human rights organisations are concerned about the security dangers that the deportation of hardened convicts could pose to Swaziland itselfand the Southern Region. The mountainous Southern African kingdom borders South Africa and Mozambique.

Without sharing their names, Washington, through its Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, last month confirmed the five convicted nationals were from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Cuba and Yemen.

Kelly Stone, Senior Consultant, Justice and Violence Prevention at the Institute for Security Studies, highlighted that Trump's actions appear to be focused on identifying more authoritarian leadership styles and exploiting the desperation or instability of certain countries. She suggested that the primary security challenge lies in the potential destabilisation of Eswatinis national stability and its relationship with South Africa, rather than the immediate threat posed by the five individuals.

Although Stone stated there is likely no legal recourse for South Africa as a third party regarding the deal between Eswatini and the US, she emphasised South Africa’s obligation to closely monitor the security implications given its bordering relationship with Eswatini.

She suggested that Trump's transactional approach to governance might be setting up African countries to compete for US favour, potentially disrupting regional relations through varied import tariff rates.

What does Eswatini gain from accepting these criminals, noting the undisclosed nature of the deal? Stone said although the terms are secret, she assumed that, similar to El Salvador, the benefits could be financial and political, such as White House visits or endorsements for ruling parties.