Police in Equatorial Guinea allegedly pointed firearms at migrants deported from the United States during a confrontation at a hotel in Malabo, according to three witnesses and video footage reviewed by Reuters. The incident has intensified concerns about the conditions facing people transferred to the Central African country under a US third-country deportation programme.
The confrontation reportedly began on Saturday after a dispute over access to mobile phones. The deportees, who are being held at the hotel, wanted access to their phones to contact relatives and lawyers. According to witnesses, the situation quickly escalated when police officers intervened.
Video footage reviewed by Reuters appeared to show men wearing shirts marked “National Police” pointing what appeared to be semi-automatic rifles at people inside the hotel. One migrant appeared to be kneeling while others could be heard screaming. Reuters said it could not independently verify what happened before the confrontation.
Migrants complain about conditions
There are currently 31 deportees being held at the hotel in Malabo, according to people representing the group. They have reportedly complained of inadequate medical care, limited access to legal assistance and severe psychological distress.
One deportee, Egyptian national Ahmed Soliman, told Reuters that police rushed at him after he began recording the confrontation. He alleged that officers grabbed him and pointed guns at him, ordering him to kneel with his hands raised.
The incident was eventually brought under control after the hotel’s director intervened, according to Soliman.
US defends deportation programme
The Trump administration has defended its third-country deportation arrangements, saying the United States is using lawful options to remove people who do not have the right to remain in the country.
The US has reached agreements with several African countries to accept migrants whom Washington says it cannot legally return directly to their countries of origin. Critics, however, argue that some deportees face a risk of persecution or abuse if eventually returned home.
According to Third Country Deportation Watch, 53 people were deported to Equatorial Guinea between November 2025 and July 2026. They reportedly came from 11 African countries as well as Georgia, Jamaica, Brazil and Cuba.
Rights advocates have called for greater transparency and stronger safeguards for migrants held in Equatorial Guinea. The government of Equatorial Guinea had not responded to Reuters’ requests for comment at the time of publication.
