The Democratic Republic of Congo will receive more than 30 deportees from the United States this week, four sources told Reuters, marking the first implementation of a new agreement between both countries.
The deportees are not Congolese nationals and come from several countries, including in Central and South America. Estimates place the group between 37 and 45 people.
They are expected to arrive by Friday and will be housed in a hotel near Kinshasa’s airport for 10 to 15 days. Security will be provided by police and a private firm, while deportees will stay in single rooms and receive two meals daily.
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The deal follows broader U.S. engagement with Congo, including security cooperation and a minerals partnership. The arrangement has drawn criticism from rights groups, while officials from both countries have declined detailed comment.
The U.N.-linked International Organization for Migration (IOM) is expected to provide post-arrival assistance if requested.
What this means for Africa
This shows that African countries are increasingly being used as destinations in global migration deals, not just as countries of origin.
These arrangements are often tied to bigger diplomatic interests like security cooperation and access to natural resources, which means migration policy is becoming part of broader political and economic negotiations rather than just humanitarian or legal decisions.
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Image Credit: Inkl.com
