Kinshasa hosts tripartite talks on repatriating over 20,000 Central African refugees from DRC

Kinshasa is hosting the second tripartite meeting between the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Central African Republic from June 9 to June 12. The discussions focus on repatriating Central African refugees living in DRC. Experts from all three parties are sitting around the table to coordinate the process.

Pierre Atchom, the UNHCR country representative in DRC, stated during his speech that 22,604 biometrically registered Central African refugees still reside in DRC. They are mainly concentrated in the provinces of North Ubangi, South Ubangi, and Bas-Uélé. In addition, 65,000 new Central African asylum seekers arrived in May 2025 in the locality of Zapaï, located in the territory of Ango in Bas-Uélé.

Éric Mukandila, permanent secretary of the National Commission for Refugees and head of the DRC delegation, recalled that voluntary repatriation of Central African refugees resumed after areas previously affected by armed conflicts were pacified. This followed an agreement signed in July 2019 between DRC, CAR, and UNHCR.

“This accord was strengthened by the 2022 Yaoundé Declaration, which promotes a regional approach to finding and implementing durable solutions for people forcibly displaced due to the Central African crisis,” Mukandila said. He emphasized that since 2019, 40,000 Central Africans have already returned to their home country in safe and dignified conditions, facilitated by UNHCR in collaboration with both governments.

“Faced with this situation, which provokes anger and discouragement among those wishing to return, a thorough review is essential to identify solutions that will ensure a safe and dignified return,” he urged.

Mesmin Guenguebe Mbari, advisor in charge of territorial planning for the Central African Republic and head of its delegation, welcomed the fact that more than 43% of Central Africans who had sought refuge in DRC have returned under the agreement. He outlined CAR’s forecast for this year: the potential return of nearly 60,000 refugees from various asylum countries, backed by an innovative strategy of development poles in return areas across Central African territory. He also called for pragmatic and frank discussions, advocating for a methodological pause to scientifically evaluate the lives of those already returned, analyze their integration within communities, and measure the real impact of the assistance provided.