The grand guest Africa – United States

Since the start of 2025, the United States has been expelling nationals from Mexico, Vietnam, and Yemen to countries like South Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). Several agreements have been signed between Washington and third countries, especially in Africa, to receive foreign nationals rejected by the United States. The latest agreement is with the Democratic Republic of Congo. These controversial agreements have unclear terms and are seen as a “pressure policy” by the Trump administration, according to Romuald Sciora, director of the U.S. political and geostrategic observatory at the Iris (Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies).

RFI: According to a February 2026 report by Democratic senators titled “At What Price,” the United States has paid over $32 million directly to five countries to accommodate around 300 migrants. Is this a new diplomatic instrument of the American administration? Romuald Sciora: Yes. I often say that the United States has become the first rogue superpower in modern history, displaying behavior akin to racketeering or Marseille mafiosi. It’s like, “You take these migrants, we send them to you, and in return, we can make certain agreements with you.” So yes, this is the new ultra-bilateral diplomacy of this administration, a diplomacy of force that is evident in other parts of the world.

The American administration justifies these actions by claiming that countries of origin refuse to take back their nationals. What do you think of this argument? There may be some truth to this. Many countries refuse, for various reasons, to take back their nationals. However, pressuring other countries is not the solution. The Trump administration is shifting the burden of American migration to Africa. So yes, it is a pressure policy. Those countries that are imposed upon do not really have a choice.

Many details of these agreements are unclear. There is a lack of transparency on the compensations. Why this opacity? This is typical of Trump’s policy. One need only read his book “The Art of the Deal” from the 1980s. Let’s never forget what Trump said about many African countries: “These shitty countries”: It’s odious, it’s racist…

During his first term…This administration is extremely radical right-wing, xenophobic, and racist. They also have a desire to control the countries they consider to be “shitholes,” which are economically, structurally, and militarily weaker countries. They impose conditions on these countries that they could not impose on other partners. They want to control, appease, give out minor favors, and maintain a grip on these countries they despise.

The report by Democratic senators – who are in the minority – emphasizes the deterrent nature of these agreements for irregular migrants in the United States, in an attempt to discourage them. Do you think this is really the case? Yes. Trump’s main goal is to combat illegal immigration, as well as legal immigration from certain territories. Measures like these can be deterrents for some migrants, but they will not solve the migration issues in the United States.

Do these migration agreements also fit into a strategy of domestic policy for Donald Trump? Donald Trump is currently losing ground. However, he should not be underestimated. He is supported by the Republican Party and a base that would follow him almost anywhere. Nevertheless, the war in Iran is changing the game for him. He entered this war without a strategy, and American soldiers have already died. The American people don’t see the end of these conflicts. In short, Trump is vulnerable domestically. Therefore, he uses his anti-immigration stance to try and rally his electoral base, give it new momentum ahead of the midterm elections. Sending migrants to Africa, of course, is something that pleases his base.

– Context: The article discusses the controversial practice of the United States expelling foreign nationals to various African countries under agreements that lack transparency. – Fact Check: The statements and opinions expressed in the article are attributed to Romuald Sciora and are used to provide insight into the topic discussed.