UK and DRC Reach Agreement on Repatriation of Illegal Migrants

London / Kinshasa - 06/02/2026 - The United Kingdom and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have reached an agreement to repatriate Congolese nationals who entered the UK illegally or have criminal convictions. The accord also allows Congolese citizens to legally enter the UK. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood welcomed the partnership, stating that illegal entrants and criminals from the DRC will be repatriated swiftly. She added that similar arrangements are expected for citizens of Namibia and Angola. The agreement follows Britain’s warning to countries that refuse to accept their citizens, which could face consequences under UK immigration policy. “My message is clear. If governments in these countries refuse to take in their citizens, they will bear the consequences,” Mahmood said. The UK continues to grapple with illegal immigration, with the Home Office reporting 41,472 illegal arrivals by boat in 2025, the second-highest number since 2018, following 45,774 arrivals in 2022. AFC/M23 Accuses African Union Commission of Supporting Crimes in DRC Kisangani, Tshopo February 6, 2026 - The AFC/M23 alliance has accused the African Union (AU) Commission of supporting crimes committed by the FARDC. Between the night of 31 January and 1 February 2026, the alliance carried out a drone attack against a military facility at Bangoka Airport in Kisangani, Tshopo province. The AFC/M23 said the attack targeted the installation because the FARDC allegedly use it to strike their bases and civilian populations in North Kivu and South Kivu. On 6 February, AU Commission President Mahmoud Ali Youssouf condemned the operation, expressing concern that the attack on a facility in a major city could endanger civilians and violate international law. Mahmoud noted that, despite no evidence of the airport’s military use, the attack was considered an assault on a civilian base, labeling it an act of terrorism. In response, AFC/M23 Secretary General Benjamin Mbonimpa reminded the AU that DRC government forces have conducted drone strikes against their positions and civilians in areas including Minembwe, Kalehe, Masisi, and Rutshuru. “The drone operation was strictly military, no civilians were involved, and it aimed to protect innocent civilians, in line with the Doha ceasefire,’’ Mbonimpa said. The alliance criticized the AU for condemning the security operation without investigation, arguing that this shows bias and raises questions about its ability to conduct peace talks in the DRC. “By siding with a government that has committed serious violations against its population, rather than supporting the victims, the AU undermines its credibility. Labeling an operation that saved lives as terrorism represents a step back for the African Union,” the AFC/M23 statement said. According to sources, the AFC/M23 deployed eight drones against Bangoka Airport, while the DRC government claims to have destroyed most of them.