On 8 February 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has agreed to take back its citizens in irregular status who are being deported from the United Kingdom, following sustained negotiations and diplomatic pressure from London.
The announcement, made after discussions between the UK ambassador and DRC officials, comes amid broader UK efforts to secure cooperation from African states on immigration and deportation protocols.
While Kinshasa has not issued an official statement, British authorities have presented the development as a breakthrough in restoring control over asylum and migration enforcement.
The agreement forms part of a cluster of returns deals also involving Namibia and Angola, concluded after the UK threatened visa restrictions on nations seen as reluctant to repatriate their nationals.