African Governments Urged to Terminate Agreements with US Over Deportation Concerns

The recent expulsions of third-country nationals to Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda, and South Sudan by the United States have raised concerns over the risk of arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and refoulement. Human Rights Watch has criticized the opaque deals facilitating these transfers, which include US financial assistance, citing violations of international human rights law.

According to reports, Rwanda has agreed to accept up to 250 deportees under an agreement that includes $7.5 million in US financial support. However, the country’s past record of repression and its role in similar arrangements with Israel and the UK have raised doubts about its ability to provide effective protection for the affected individuals. In Eswatini, the government has received at least five people from various countries, who are being held in harsh conditions at the Matsapha Correctional Complex.

South Sudan has confirmed that it is holding seven foreign nationals deported from the US in July, while an eighth person was released to their family. The authorities have not clarified the status of the remaining six men or the conditions under which they are being held. In Uganda, a temporary bilateral cooperation agreement has been reached with the US, under which Uganda will receive third-country deportees, excluding individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors.

Ghana has also agreed to accept third-party nationals, with five citizens of Nigeria and The Gambia already expelled to the country. However, one of the deportees, a bisexual man from The Gambia, reported being returned to his country of origin after expulsion, despite US courts determining that he faced a serious risk of persecution.

Human Rights Watch has urged African governments to refuse to enter into agreements to accept third-country deportees from the US and to terminate existing agreements. The organization has called on countries party to such agreements to disclose their terms, allow access to independent monitors, and ensure that no deportee is returned to their home country if they face a risk of persecution or torture. The African Union has been urged to reiterate that deportations without adequate protection are unlawful and unacceptable.