The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently in discussions with the U.S. administration regarding the potential acceptance of deportees from other countries, according to two government sources in Kinshasa who spoke to Reuters. This move would mark another instance of similar arrangements the United States has pursued across Africa.
The talks, also confirmed by multiple U.N. sources and diplomats briefed by U.S. officials, highlight Washington’s increasing reliance on third-country deportation agreements. These deals are aimed at accelerating the removal of migrants who have entered or are staying in the United States without legal authorization. Typically, such arrangements are negotiated discreetly, with limited public disclosure about their terms and conditions.
The discussions with Congo are taking place alongside broader U.S. efforts to support a peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda, as well as to secure access to Congo’s critical mineral resources.
The United States has previously sent deportees to several African nations, including Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Eswatini. However, these actions have drawn criticism from legal experts and human rights organizations, who question both the legal foundation of such transfers and the treatment of deportees in countries where they are not citizens.
In some cases, migrants have reportedly been deported despite having court-ordered protections in the U.S. intended to prevent their removal.
Sources from Congo indicate that no final agreement has yet been reached, and several key aspects remain unresolved. It is still unclear when deportation flights might begin, how many individuals could be affected, or what their nationalities would be.
Additionally, there is no confirmation on what, if any, incentives Congo might receive in exchange for accepting deportees.
A source from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) suggested that the plan could involve migrants from South America, including Venezuelans.
The U.S. State Department declined to comment on the details of the discussions, while Congo’s presidency has yet to respond to requests for official statements.