Mbabane, Eswatini: The United States has deported five immigrants to Eswatini, a small southern African nation ruled by one of the world’s last absolute monarchs. The deportees -- originally from Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen, and Laos -- are being held in correctional facilities while arrangements are made to repatriate them to their home countries, according to Eswatini authorities.

The move marks Eswatini’s emergence as one of the newest countries to accept third-country deportees from the United States.

Africa’s last absolute monarchy

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is the only nation in Africa where the monarch retains full executive power. King Mswati III has ruled since 1986, assuming the throne at the age of 18 following the death of his father, King Sobhuza II.

Now 57, Mswati III governs by decree, with no constitutional limits to his authority. Political parties were banned in 1973, and while some exist today, they are barred from participating in elections or formal governance. Parliamentary candidates must stand as independents and typically receive approval from traditional leaders loyal to the king.

Mswati has faced longstanding criticism for presiding over a repressive regime while maintaining a lavish personal lifestyle. He reportedly has 11 wives and a fleet of luxury vehicles. His personal wealth is estimated between $200 million and $500 million — a stark contrast to the broader economic picture in Eswatini, where over half the 1.2 million population lives on less than $4 per day, according to the World Bank.

A nation under strain

In recent years, the country has seen rising pro-democracy protests, often met with violent crackdowns by security forces. Many opposition figures have fled into exile, alleging political persecution.

Eswatini was formerly under British colonial rule and gained independence in 1968. In 2018, Mswati III renamed the country to its pre-colonial name, Eswatini, to mark 50 years of independence and assert national identity.

The kingdom also faces grave public health challenges. Eswatini has the highest HIV prevalence rate in the world, with around 26% of adults estimated to be HIV-positive. Though the country has made strides in addressing the epidemic, much of the progress has depended on international aid — notably from the United States.

That assistance has diminished in recent years, particularly under the Trump administration, which reduced foreign aid budgets, including for health programmes in Africa.

Deportation policy under scrutiny

The recent deportations to Eswatini raise new questions about U.S. immigration policy and the ethics of third-country transfers, particularly to nations with known human rights issues.

While Eswatini has agreed to temporarily detain the men, it remains unclear when or how they will be returned to their countries of origin -- or what legal protections, if any, they will receive in the interim.

The U.S. government has not publicly commented on why Eswatini was chosen as a receiving country for this group of deportees.