A flight carrying nine West African migrants deported from the US landed in Sierra Leone on May 14, marking part of a broader policy under President Donald Trump aimed at tightening immigration controls. Reports indicate that additional deportations are expected to other countries, including Eswatini, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan.
The developments come amid rising tensions in parts of Africa linked to migration. In South Africa (SA), protests against undocumented migrants have been taking place in several cities. At the same time, Ghana on Thursday planned to repatriate about 300 nationals from SA, citing concerns over safety following incidents described as xenophobic violence.
Loren Landau, Professor of Migration and Development at the University of Oxford and Research Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, said the deportation policy reflects political messaging rather than a practical solution to migration.
Landau said the number of migrants affected by deportations is relatively small, and the approach is costly to implement. Landau added that the policy may raise legal concerns, including potential conflicts with international and domestic law.
Landau said the reception of deported migrants by African countries could create political pressure domestically. Landau said the arrangement may be perceived as externalising migration challenges, which could affect public trust in leadership.
Commenting on developments in SA, Landau said migration has become a central political issue despite limited changes in migration patterns. Landau said public debate has shifted, with migration increasingly linked to economic challenges.
Landau said government responses focusing on the removal of migrants may not address underlying issues such as unemployment and service delivery. Landau added that such approaches could affect regional relations and economic cooperation.
Landau said border control measures alone are unlikely to resolve migration challenges, noting that movement across borders has remained a consistent feature over time. Landau said broader approaches involving governance, economic reform and regional cooperation are required to address the drivers of migration.
–ChannelAfrica–
