The government refers to “a temporary reception scheme for third-country nationals”. On this point, the authorities are keen to stress that “this scheme is strictly transitional, temporary and limited in duration”, without providing further details.

Those deported are from Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, according to sources close to the matter. “It took a very long time, about 26 or 27 hours,” one migrant told Reuters.

In other words, it is clearly established that “this constitutes neither a mechanism for long-term settlement on national territory nor a permanent resettlement”, though no indication is given as to how long the migrants will remain in the Congo.

Furthermore, the government emphasizes that “their reception, supervision and care are funded by the US Government”.

The arrival of these migrants has sparked a wave of reactions among politicians. Several civil society organizations have highlighted a lack of transparency and raised questions about the reception conditions and the legal framework of this operation.

Meanwhile, members of the National Assembly had called for the lower house of parliament to examine this issue, which is considered sensitive.

The Institute for Human Rights Research (IRDH), for its part, rejects this move. In an opinion piece, its director, Hubert Tshiswaka Masoka, strongly criticizes an agreement which he considers to be contrary to international commitments regarding the protection of refugees.

The NGO cites a violation of the principle of non-refoulement, forced transfers contrary to international law, and the illegal outsourcing of US obligations regarding asylum.

“By agreeing to become a platform for the outsourcing of migration for the United States, the DRC is deviating from international standards and undermining the universal protection of asylum seekers,” he says.

It calls on the DRC to suspend the agreement, on Washington to terminate it, and on the UNHCR to secure immediate access to the people concerned.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma