From Tuesday 9 to Thursday 12 June, Kinshasa is hosting the second tripartite meeting between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Central African Republic (CAR). The discussions centre on the voluntary return of Central African refugees currently residing in DRC. Congolese, Central African, and UNHCR experts are gathered to advance the repatriation process.
Pierre Atchom, UNHCR country representative in DRC, reported that 22,604 biometrically registered Central African refugees remain in the country. Most are concentrated in the provinces of Nord-Ubangi, Sud-Ubangi, and Bas-Uélé. Additionally, 65,000 new Central African asylum seekers arrived in May 2025 in Zapaï, a locality within the Ango territory of Bas-Uélé.
Éric Mukandila, permanent secretary of the National Commission for Refugees (CNR) and head of the DRC delegation, noted that voluntary repatriation resumed after conflict-affected areas were pacified, following a July 2019 agreement between the DRC, CAR, and UNHCR. He emphasized that the accord was reinforced by the 2022 Yaoundé Declaration, which promotes regional approaches to durable solutions for those displaced by the Central African crisis. Mukandila highlighted that 40,000 Central Africans have already returned to CAR safely and with dignity since 2019, thanks to UNHCR collaboration with both governments.
“Given the anger and discouragement among those waiting to go back, a thorough review is essential to identify solutions that ensure a safe and dignified return,” Mukandila stated.
Mesmin Guenguebe Mbari, CAR’s adviser on regional planning and head of the Central African delegation, praised the return of over 43% of Central Africans from DRC under the agreement. He outlined CAR’s projections for this year: the potential return of nearly 60,000 refugees from various asylum countries, supported by an innovative strategy centred on development poles in returnee areas. He called for pragmatic and open discussions, including a methodological pause to scientifically assess the lives of those already returned, analyse their integration into communities, and measure the real impact of aid provided.
