Latest news with #TheNation
IOL News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Hardened US criminals deported to eSwatini 'might end up on Mzansi shores'
The United States sent five men it describes as 'barbaric' criminals to the neighbouring Kingdom of eSwatini. Image: X The decision by the United States President Donald Trump's administration to send five dangerous, hardened criminals to the neighbouring Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) took citizens by surprise and shock. IOL reported earlier this week that the move has also sparked outrage in the small landlocked nation, and fears abound that the criminals may end up in South Africa. The Trump administration announced over a week ago that it would be sending the men who are illegal immigrants from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen and Cuba convicted of child rape, murder, burglary, and being gang members and whose countries refuse to take them back. King Mswati III Image: Ludovic Marin, AFP Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Speaking to IOL, Bheki Makhubu, editor of the monthly news magazine The Nation, said people of eSwatini feel betrayed. 'Essentially, emaSwati feel they were betrayed by the leadership of eSwatini. This move came as a complete surprise and seems to have been arranged and known by only a select few people. This deal feels like an invasion of our country by the US. We feel our leaders have sold our country to Trump behind our backs,' he said. 'This country is nobody's personal property and therefore we're upset and most importantly, afraid. There's a fear that if this is allowed to continue, and it looks like more prisoners are coming, one day we will wake up and find that we've been annexed by another country behind our backs.' Makhubu added that his understanding is that these dangerous criminals are set to spend only a year here in eSwatini. 'If, as we are told, they are not wanted in their own countries, what will happen to them? Our economy is very small, I doubt they'll want to stick around once free. The next best place to go is South Africa. 'Remember, South Africa is the gateway to the rest of the world and the economy is large enough for them to try and make a living there. So they could also seek to make your country home,' said Makhubu. Bheki Makhubu, editor of the eSwatini monthly news magazine The Nation spoke to IOL Image: Supplied Last week, IOL reported that the Kingdom of eSwatini has become the focus of regional scrutiny following the arrival of the five foreign nationals deported from the United States and transferred to its correctional system — individuals convicted of serious crimes, including murder and child rape. Held in isolated prison units, these inmates — citizens of Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Laos, and Yemen — were reportedly rejected by their home countries, reportedly prompting the US Department of Homeland Security to describe these offenders in harsh terms. The eSwatini government confirmed the transfer in a statement released by spokesperson Thabile Mdluli: 'Indeed, five inmates are currently housed in our correctional facilities in isolated units, where similar offenders are kept. The government acknowledges the widespread concern regarding the deportation of third-country prisoners from the US into eSwatini.' When reached for further comments, Mdluli revealed that the government could accommodate additional deportees beyond the initial five, depending on further discussions and available capacity. Officials confirmed there were no set timelines for repatriating the deported prisoners, as the process depended on cooperation with their countries of origin. IOL News
The Star
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
'I feel five years older and my hair is grey' laments Cambodian PM Hun Manet as he reflects on border crisis
BANGKOK: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has taken to social media to reflect on the personal toll of recent border tensions with Thailand, stating he feels "five years older" with increased grey hair and a haggard appearance, yet assuring his compatriots of his undiminished resolve. In a reflective post published early on Tuesday (July 29) morning at approximately 7am – just hours after a ceasefire deal was struck at midnight on Monday – the Prime Minister greeted his people, extending deep gratitude for their support and acknowledging concerns about his appearance. "It is true, in the past few days, I genuinely feel as if I've aged five years, with a more haggard face and significantly more grey hair," he wrote. He even noted that his assistants had advised him to dye his hair. However, Hun Manet quickly pivoted to his current priorities, stressing that his focus was not on his physical appearance but on critical national missions. He listed monitoring frontline developments, supporting troops, caring for "hundreds of thousands of refugees," and addressing the sudden return of Cambodian labourers from Thailand. He identified his most significant challenge in recent days as "finding a way to end the fighting as quickly as possible, to save the lives of both soldiers and civilians living in the conflict areas, to prevent further deaths and injuries." A swift ceasefire, he added, would expedite the return of affected citizens to their homes. Despite acknowledging his physical strain and potentially weaker physique compared to a decade ago, Hun Manet affirmed that his "morale and determination to face and solve all these problems remain as strong as ever." He pledged to fully resolve these issues, stating that once soldiers and citizens are content and peace is restored, only then would he consider dyeing his hair. The Prime Minister concluded his message with a call for national unity: "I ask all my brothers and sisters to maintain peace and unity. We will overcome this difficult period together." - The Nation/ANN
The Star
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Paetongtarn slams Cambodia as dishonourable for violating ceasefire
BANGKOK: Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (pic) criticised Cambodia on Tuesday (July 29) for acting in bad faith and breaching the recently agreed ceasefire, calling the behaviour 'ungentlemanly.' She added that Thailand would notify the countries that witnessed the negotiations of Cambodia's continued aggression. Speaking at Government House before joining the weekly Cabinet meeting chaired by Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Paetongtarn appeared visibly tense. Her demeanour reflected the gravity of the ongoing situation following the ceasefire agreement reached in Malaysia on Monday (July 28). Despite the ceasefire, Cambodian troops reportedly continued launching attacks into Thai territory from around 3.30am on July 29, in violation of the agreement. When asked by reporters whether she was closely monitoring the situation, Paetongtarn said she had just received an update from her team and had discussed plans to inform the countries that served as witnesses during the peace talks about Cambodia's actions. To be honest, we're not surprised by such dishonourable conduct, she said. Asked whether the Thai government would issue another formal statement in response to Cambodia's continued violations, Paetongtarn said the matter would be referred to Phumtham for further action. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand returns bodies of 12 Cambodian soldiers in gesture of battlefield respect
BANGKOK: The bodies of 12 Cambodian soldiers have been returned to their homeland in accordance with humanitarian principles, demonstrating respect for all fallen warriors regardless of allegiance, according to the Royal Thai Army. On Sunday (July 27) at 4.30pm, Thai officials conducted the repatriation of the remains of 12 Cambodian soldiers who perished during combat operations in Phu Makhuea area to Cambodian authorities at the permanent border crossing point of Chong Sa-ngam, Prai Phatthana subdistrict, Phu Sing district, Si Sa Ket province, enabling the return of the deceased for religious ceremonies in their homeland. Undertaking this action aligns with universal humanitarian principles and honours soldiers who lost their lives in battle, regardless of their allegiance. It reflects the spirit of military honour and dignity, demonstrating understanding for the hearts of those who fulfill their duties in conflict situations, all of whom serve their respective nations according to their assigned roles. The brave soldiers of the Royal Thai Army who sacrificed their lives in defense of Thai territory shall not be forgotten. Their sacrifice will be inscribed in the memory of Thai people, and others will continue this honorable mission to safeguard the sovereignty of Thailand. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
UN chief voices concern over Thai–Cambodian border clashes, urges immediate ceasefire
BANGKOK: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over the ongoing clashes along the Thai–Cambodian border and called on both sides to immediately cease hostilities. Details of the statement issued by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, are as follows: The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the continuation of armed clashes at the border between Cambodia and Thailand since 24 July. The Secretary-General condemns the tragic and unnecessary loss of lives, injuries to civilians and the damage to homes and infrastructure on both sides. The Secretary-General urges both sides to immediately agree to a ceasefire and to address any issues through dialogue, with a view to finding a lasting solution to the dispute. The Secretary-General remains available to assist in any efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the dispute. - The Nation/ANN
