What You Need to Know
The Congolese government has responded to the UK's recent visa restrictions imposed on its citizens, citing a lack of cooperation in the repatriation of undocumented migrants. The Congolese spokesperson confirmed ongoing consultations with London to reach an agreement by the end of January, despite a postponed meeting.
Africa. The British government announced on December 28 that it would impose restrictions on visa issuance for citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, accusing Kinshasa of insufficient cooperation in the repatriation of undocumented migrants.
In response to this move, Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya confirmed that consultations are ongoing with London to reach an agreement before the end of January. However, the meeting scheduled for December 30 at the Ministry of the Interior did not take place, with no official explanation provided for the postponement.
Government sources in Kinshasa emphasized that the refusal to accept deportees without verifying their identities is linked to “national security considerations.” One official explained that the country wants to ensure that those claiming to be Congolese in the UK are indeed citizens before agreeing to their return.
An official from the International Migration Organization noted that the government fears that accepting deportations could set a precedent that might lead other European countries, such as France and Belgium, to take similar actions. Therefore, Congolese authorities are seeking to buy time to avoid a potential wave of mass deportations.
The restrictions imposed by London include the suspension of expedited visa processing, with a warning of a more severe step involving a complete halt to visa issuance. While Kinshasa asserts that no action will be taken before negotiations conclude, there has been no confirmation from the British side.
The relationship between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United Kingdom has been complex, particularly regarding migration and repatriation issues. In recent years, the UK has implemented various immigration policies affecting Congolese nationals, often citing security and cooperation concerns.
