Controversy over US deportees in DR Congo

Controversy over US deportees in DR Congo

From Focus on Africa by BBC World Service

April 21, 2026 · 23 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the arrival of US deportees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the implications for Congolese society, alongside a look at educational practices in the African diaspora.

More than a dozen deportees from the US, reportedly from South America, have arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the beginning of April, the DRC government announced a deal with the US under which Kinshasa would accept individuals known as “third-country” deportees. The arrival of these deportees has raised concerns and questions among Congolese people and opposition figures. We also explore a different kind of journey - discipline in the African diaspora, where some parents have gone as far as sending their children back home for schooling. What is it like to be sent back to Africa? Presenter : Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru Senior Producers: Blessing Aderogba and Keikantse Shumba Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

People in this episode

Host: Charles Gitonga

Topics covered

  • deportation
  • US immigration policy
  • DR Congo
  • African diaspora
  • education
  • parenting

Keywords

  • deportees
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • US
  • immigration
  • African diaspora
  • education
  • parenting

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC World Service

Places: Democratic Republic of the Congo, US, South America, Kinshasa

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