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 stated that a temporary reception system has been established, and facilities to accommodate arrivals have been selected in the capital, Kinshasa.
Logistical and technical support will be provided by the US. The statement clarified that the Congolese government would bear no financial cost for this scheme.
Despite not disclosing how many deportees they would accept, officials noted that the US has already sent deportees to several countries in Africa as part of its crackdown on immigration.
There are concerns regarding the potential for migrants being returned to their countries, where they may face persecution. Congolese officials stated that no such transfers are planned.
The agreement to receive these third-country migrants aligns with DR Congo's commitment to human dignity and international solidarity to protect migrants' rights, as conveyed in the official statement.
Moreover, the scheme is not viewed as a permanent relocation mechanism or an outsourcing of migration policies.
The US State Department has stated that, while they won't comment on specific diplomatic communications, their commitment to ending illegal and mass immigration remains unwavering.
Since President Donald Trump's administration took office, dozens of individuals have been deported to third countries as part of its strict immigration enforcement policies, which have faced criticism from human rights advocates.
DR Congo joins other nations in Africa, such as Eswatini, Ghana, and South Sudan, in accepting US deportees.
Recent reports suggest the Trump administration has spent over $40 million on third-country deportations, while also negotiating resources for minerals in DR Congo, enhancing ties between the two nations.
