LONDON – Britain has imposed visa restrictions on nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo following what officials describe as the African nation’s “poor cooperation” in accepting the return of illegal migrants, the UK government announced Saturday.
The measures target DRC officials and decision-makers with the loss of preferential visa treatment, while fast-track visa processing has been suspended for all Congolese nationals. The interior ministry warned that additional restrictions, potentially including a complete visa halt, will follow unless cooperation “rapidly improves.”
The action stems from Britain’s broader effort to remove thousands of illegal migrants and criminals who have been blocked from deportation by what officials call “unacceptably poor and obstructive returns processes” from their home countries.
In November, Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood threatened visa bans against the DRC, along with Angola and Namibia, unless they accepted the return of irregular migrants. Angola and Namibia subsequently agreed to improve their cooperation and will avoid restrictions.
Diplomatic response
The DRC government responded Sunday by announcing ongoing discussions with Britain to resolve the dispute. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya told AFP that a framework for procedures has been clarified and a technical meeting scheduled for Tuesday aims to reach agreement by January 30.
“The measure announced by Britain cannot be applied while discussions are ongoing,” Muyaya said, emphasising that any migrant returns must be undertaken with “respect for norms.”
Political context
The visa restrictions represent part of a broader package of asylum reforms announced by Mahmood in November, as the Labour government seeks to address immigration concerns that have become increasingly divisive in British politics.
Immigration issues have fueled support for the anti-immigration Reform UK party, which currently leads in opinion polls ahead of local elections scheduled for May.
Deportation challenges
British officials have accused the three African nations of systematically frustrating deportation efforts by refusing to process paperwork and requiring individuals to sign their own deportation documents – effectively allowing migrants to block their own removal.
“If one of their citizens has no right to be here, they must take them back,” Mahmood said Saturday. “Now is the time for the Democratic Republic of Congo to do the right thing: Take your citizens back or lose the privilege of entering our country.”
The interior ministry acknowledged some recent engagement from the DRC but maintained that the central African nation needs “to play by the rules” regarding migrant returns.
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