In brief
The Democratic Republic of Congo has reached an agreement to accept migrants deported from the United States, effective this month. The deal includes the establishment of facilities in Kinshasa for temporary reception, with the US providing logistical support. The Congolese government will incur no costs and aims to uphold human dignity by not sending deportees back to countries where they may face persecution. This move aligns with international efforts to support and protect migrant rights.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to accept migrants deported from the US who are not themselves Congolese under a deal effective from this month, officials said. The Ministry of Communication announced a temporary reception system has been set up, with facilities selected in the capital, Kinshasa.Logistical and technical support will be provided by the US, with the Congolese government incurring no financial costs for the scheme. However, the number of deportees to be accepted has not been disclosed. This agreement is part of a broader strategy by the US to deport individuals to several African countries as part of its immigration crackdown.Amid concerns about possible persecution upon repatriation, Congolese officials emphasized that no transfers back to countries with known risks are planned. The decision to accept third-country migrants reflects Congo's commitment to support human dignity and international solidarity.The authorities emphasized that this scheme is not intended as a permanent relocation approach and does not constitute an outsourcing of US migration policies. The US has faced criticism for its deportation strategies, and human rights advocates have raised concerns about their legality.As part of global efforts, DR Congo joins other African nations, including Eswatini, Ghana, and South Sudan, in accepting deportees from the United States. Furthermore, the US is negotiating a minerals deal with DR Congo for access to the country’s precious metal reserves.
