The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s government is being accused of not cooperating with its new policy regarding the return of undocumented immigrants and those who commit criminal offenses by the United Kingdom.
The measures were made public by the UK Home Office in a statement late on Saturday. Additionally, it stated that Namibia and Angola have come to a consensus to increase their citizen retribution.
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The agreements, which were announced last month by Secretary of State for Home Department Shabana Mahmood, represent the first significant change to the home department’s broad reforms that would temporarily change refugee status and expedite deportation for those who arrive without identification.
The DRC, Angola, or Namibia did not respond right away.
According to the Home Office, the DRC was unable to fulfill the UK’s cooperation requirements and was now denied access to VIP visa services and preferential treatment.
If cooperation doesn’t quickly improve, Mahmood warned that the UK could escalate measures to put a total stop to the DRC’s need for visas.
“We anticipate that nations will adhere to the regulations.” They must remove one of their citizens from their country if they do not have a right to remain there, she said.
“I sincerely appreciate the cooperation between Namibia and Angola. The Democratic Republic of Congo needs to make the right decision right away. Respect your citizens, or you’ll lose your right to enter our country.
She continued, “This is just the beginning of the steps I am taking to secure our border and accelerate the removal of those with no right to be here.”
In a bid to stop the arrivals of irregular migrants, which have fueled rising anger on the far-right, Prime Minister Keir Streamer’s centre-left government announced radical changes to the UK’s asylum system, including significantly lowering protections for refugees and their children.
More than 39, 000 people have flown into the UK on small boats this year, many of whom are refugees from war, compared to the total number of boats in place in 2024. This is lower than the previous record set by the Conservatives in 2022.
According to Mahmood, the reforms, which are based on Denmark’s strict asylum system, will deter people from using small boats to cross the English Channel from France.
She referred to the current system as “out of control and unfair,” and said it was a “uncomfortable truth” that the government had to face.
Refugee status will be reviewed every 30 months under the reforms. Once those nations are determined safe, refugees will be forced to go back to their home countries.
They will also have to submit a permanent residency application for 20 years instead of the current five.
Additionally, the government has stated that it will pass legislation to make deportation of irregular migrants and foreign criminals more difficult.
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Yvette Cooper stated that the UK has “removed more than 50, 000 people with no right to remain” and that it has instructed diplomats to make returns a top priority.
However, Mark Davies, a former Foreign Office adviser, has been critical of the policy, calling it “shameful” and “a departure from” Britain’s longstanding commitment to supporting refugees.
The policy is also being attacked by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who added that it “appeases the most ghastly, racist right-wing forces all across Europe” and that it violates the UN Convention on Human Rights.
The refugee council’s chief executive, Enver Solomon, urged the government to reconsider, warning that “crossings” should be able to be able to build “secure, settled lives” thanks to the plan’s chief executive.
According to official data cited by the AFP news agency, there were 111, 000 asylum applications submitted in the UK in the year to June 2025, a record high.
However, from 2023 to 2024, the UK government made fewer initial positive decisions.
Source: Aljazeera
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