Mia Swart, visiting Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, described the practice as “against one of the most firmly established rules of international law,” citing the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they risk torture or cruel treatment.
Reports indicate that at least 10 West Africans deported to Ghana were subsequently sent to Togo, bypassing formal border crossings and left on the streets without passports. The programme, implemented under US President Donald Trump, is the largest deportation operation in US history and has drawn criticism for targeting Africa as a “dumping ground” for unwanted migrants.
Swart said some African leaders have agreed to the programme, likely influenced by financial incentives or trade arrangements. “It is disturbing that African leaders would violate both domestic and international law in the interest of pleasing the US,” she said.
She emphasised that African countries have the right to refuse participation. “Non-refoulement includes sending someone to a third country that will then return them to their home country,” Swart explained, adding that similar schemes, such as the United Kingdom’s Rwanda plan, were ruled illegal by international courts.
