Figures recently released by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed an alarming situation: in the first six months of 2023, no less than 10,854 Congolese were expelled from Angola. These mass expulsions took place mainly through the Kamako border post, where the expellees entered the Congo.
This situation highlights once again the challenges faced by many Congolese who try to seek refuge beyond the borders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Indeed, due to the various crises that are devastating the country, more than a million Congolese have been forced to leave their native land, seeking safety and protection in neighboring countries.
Among those expelled from Angola, many Congolese refugees fled the 2017 Kamuina Nsapu militia insurgency in the Kasai region. These people found temporary refuge in Angola, but now face forced return to the DRC. However, it should be noted that during the month of July, a voluntary and organized repatriation operation was announced by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in cooperation with Angola and the DRC. This operation aims to facilitate the return of Congolese refugees living in Angola, in particular those located in Lovua, in the province of Lunda Norte.
Beyond these figures, it is important to highlight the difficulties that Congolese refugees face in their host country. Not only do they face precarious living conditions, but they also face challenges such as access to health care, education and employment. Humanitarian agencies and governments must work together to provide the necessary protection and assistance to these vulnerable populations.
In conclusion, the mass expulsions of Congolese from Angola underscore the need for concerted action and international cooperation to address the challenges of forced displacement and humanitarian crises. The situation of Congolese refugees must be taken seriously and efforts must be made to ensure their protection and reintegration in their country of origin