The African Union’s human rights body expressed concern over deals by Rwanda and Uganda accepting deportees from the United States. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights urged transparency, protection of deportees’ rights, and warned against turning Africa into a “drop-off zone.”
The ACHPR described the agreements as part of a broader strategy to externalize migration responsibilities, increasing risks of rights violations for deportees. Officials noted that these deportations may breach the principle of non-refoulement, the ban on collective expulsions, and rights to dignity and asylum.
Uganda recently joined Rwanda, Eswatini, and South Sudan in agreeing to accept third-country nationals denied asylum in the United States.
Rwanda confirmed last week that the first seven migrants from the US arrived, part of a 250-person group previously approved for transfer. The agreements date back to President Trump’s administration, which urged African leaders to accept deported migrants during bilateral meetings in 2023.
Responses across the continent have varied, with some countries complying while others, including Nigeria, refused to accept deported Venezuelans from the United States.
Human rights advocates warn that the deals risk undermining African legal protections, leaving vulnerable migrants exposed to arbitrary expulsions and legal uncertainty. The AU body called on member states to align their policies with international and regional human rights frameworks, ensuring dignity for all deportees.