US in Talks to Send Afghan Refugees to DR Congo

Afghan allies who supported U.S. military operations are now confronted with a difficult decision: settle in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo or return to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. According to AfghanEvac, a nonprofit organization aiding former allies, the U.S. government is discussing relocating approximately 1,100 Afghans currently housed at a former U.S. base in Qatar to the Central African nation. This group, which includes interpreters, military commandos, and families of U.S. soldiers, was moved to Qatar after the withdrawal of U.S.-led international forces from Afghanistan in 2021.

Shawn VanDiver, leader of AfghanEvac, suggested the plan might be a strategy to pressure the Afghans into accepting a return to Afghanistan. “Washington may be trying to create a false refusal,” the group stated in a press release. “By offering families relocation to a conflict zone in DR Congo, knowing they cannot accept, then waiting for a predictable ‘no,’ the administration can use that rejection to justify sending them back to Taliban-ruled territory,” it added. The statement also criticized the decision to place over 400 children in American custody into a country facing its own instability.

According to the United Nations, DR Congo hosts around 6.9 million internally displaced individuals, especially in the eastern regions where intense clashes between the army and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have occurred. Additionally, over 517,000 refugees from neighboring countries, including the Central African Republic, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan, reside there. The State Department has not officially confirmed DR Congo as a target but indicated it is exploring “voluntary resettlement” options for the As Sayliyah camp population in Qatar. A spokesperson described the move to a third country as a “positive resolution” ensuring safety for the refugees while safeguarding American interests.

Since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, more than 190,000 Afghans have been resettled in the U.S. However, President Donald Trump has pledged to reduce migration, including halting refugee processing for Afghans after an incident in November where an Afghan individual shot two National Guard troops near the White House, killing one. The attacker, who had worked with U.S. intelligence and experienced post-traumatic stress disorder, prompted Trump to set a March 31 deadline for closing the As Sayliyah camp in Qatar. The plan has sparked debate over the safety and intent behind relocating these individuals to a new region of conflict.

While the U.S. continues to evaluate options for resettling Afghan allies, the decision to target DR Congo raises concerns about the refugees’ future stability. AfghanEvac argues the move could be a tactic to expedite their return to Afghanistan, despite the ongoing challenges there. The State Department’s stance remains cautious, emphasizing voluntary participation and the broader goal of securing a fresh start for those displaced by the war.

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