The New York Times has revealed details of a secret deal between the United States and Cameroon, where Washington used political and financial leverage to convince the Cameroonian government to accept hundreds of migrants deported from its territory, who are difficult to return to their home countries.
The deal includes the United States' commitment to remain silent regarding the crackdown launched by Cameroonian authorities against protesters following the presidential elections that took place last October, in addition to Washington's withdrawal from withholding a sum of $30 million that was allocated to a local office of the United Nations.
Details of the Agreement
Reports indicate that this deal is part of a broader campaign initiated by former President Donald Trump's administration, as the United States seeks to persuade other countries to accept migrants who cannot be legally deported to their homelands. This agreement also serves as evidence of the "diplomatic bargaining" tactics employed by Washington to arrange such agreements.
Under this agreement, the Trump administration chose not to criticize the re-election process of President Paul Biya (93 years old), who has ruled Cameroon for over 40 years. Washington also remained silent about the voting that took place last October and the bloody crackdown carried out by security forces against protesters.
Background & Context
In an effort to intensify pressure on the Cameroonian government, Washington withheld the disbursement of $30 million that was designated for the UN Refugee Agency's office in Cameroon, continuing to withhold the amount until President Biya's administration agreed to finalize the deportation deal. According to the details of the agreement, the United States agreed to deport hundreds of individuals to at least 25 third countries with which it has no ties, while also exerting pressure to deport dozens of other individuals.
Correspondence from the U.S. State Department indicates that a team of negotiators traveled to Cameroon to finalize the deportation deal at a time when President Biya was facing international condemnation due to the crackdown on protests that followed the elections.
Impact & Consequences
Although the Cameroonian government initially opposed the agreement, viewing it as "extortion," it later changed its stance. Cameroonian officials expect this deal to encourage Washington to deport Cameroonian opposition members and separatists who have fled to the United States.
Currently, the status of most deported individuals remains unclear, as they are held in a state-run detention center in the capital, Yaoundé. However, officials expect that these migrants will eventually be returned to their home countries.
Regional Significance
At least 17 migrants have been deported to Cameroon since January, as part of this agreement, despite U.S. courts granting them forms of legal protection to prevent their forced return to their home countries. Among these individuals are those who sought asylum to escape the ravages of war or the threat of imprisonment due to their political beliefs.
In statements to the New York Times, the deported individuals reported that they were transported on U.S. flights while handcuffed and shackled, with many unaware of their destination. The International Organization for Migration confirmed that it referred some migrants to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to file asylum applications, but the Cameroonian Foreign Ministry claims they have no right to seek refugee status on its territory.