The Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to accept foreigners deported from the United States, sparking concerns over human rights and exploitation.
The deal, reportedly linking acceptance of deportees to US access to Congolese mineral wealth, has drawn criticism from rights groups.
Many deportees have valid US work permits and no criminal history, raising fears of arbitrary detention and persecution in the DRC.
The DRC government claims the move is humanitarian, citing support for vulnerable migrants. However, the country’s strained infrastructure and poverty raise questions about its capacity to handle the influx.
The US will cover logistical costs, part of a broader strategy to secure critical minerals like cobalt and lithium.
The agreement is part of ongoing US-DRC negotiations on health data and mineral access, amidst global competition for resources. Critics argue the deal exploits the DRC’s vulnerability, highlighting the need for fairer international cooperation.
