Keypoints:
- US weighs DR Congo relocation for 1,100 Afghans
- Visa processing stall leaves evacuees stranded in Qatar
- Security concerns complicate third-country resettlement plan
THE administration of Donald Trump is exploring options to relocate more than 1,100 Afghan nationals to the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a Reuters report, as Washington struggles to resolve a growing backlog of stalled immigration cases.
The group is currently housed at a former US military facility in Qatar, where they were transferred to complete visa processing after fleeing the aftermath of the US withdrawal from Kabul. Many are relatives of US citizens or worked with US-backed organisations during the two-decade war.
Policy gridlock forces new options
The talks point to a policy bottleneck in Washington, where Afghan evacuees remain stranded as immigration pathways stall. With visa processing effectively stalled, US officials are increasingly considering third-country resettlement—placing African states at the centre of a sensitive diplomatic shift.
Processing halt leaves families in limbo
Reuters reports that visa processing for Afghan nationals ground to a halt following policy changes introduced after Trump returned to office in January 2025, a shift that has also affected African applicants as detailed in Africa Briefing’s reporting on the US immigrant visa pause.
While a narrow exemption exists for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) granted to Afghans who supported US operations, advocates say progress has stalled in practice.
A federal judge ruled in February that the suspension of SIV processing was unlawful, but Reuters reports that implementation has yet to resume meaningfully, leaving hundreds of applicants stranded in transit facilities such as Camp As Sayliyah. Reuters notes that many of these individuals had already undergone vetting for potential resettlement.
Many of those awaiting relocation include relatives of US citizens and individuals who worked with US-funded organisations during the two-decade war.
Congo option raises feasibility concerns
The possible inclusion of the Democratic Republic of Congo in resettlement discussions has drawn scrutiny due to ongoing instability in parts of the country. Eastern regions continue to face conflict involving armed groups, including a Rwanda-backed rebel movement that made advances last year.
Kinshasa has not publicly confirmed its involvement in the talks. According to Reuters, a US State Department spokesperson said that third-country resettlement could offer Afghans an opportunity to rebuild their lives outside Taliban-controlled Afghanistan but did not confirm whether Congo is among the countries under consideration.
The discussions also come amid broader US engagement with Congo on migration arrangements, including pressure on Kinshasa to accept third-country deportations, as reported in Africa Briefing’s earlier coverage.
Advocacy groups warn of risks
Advocacy organisation #AfghanEvac has criticised the proposal, warning that relocating vulnerable families to conflict-affected areas could expose them to further uncertainty.
Its founder, Shawn VanDiver, told Reuters that many of the Afghans involved are unlikely to accept relocation to Congo, citing security concerns and limited long-term guarantees.
He warned that refusal could leave some without a clear pathway to resettlement and potentially increase the risk of return to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Botswana plan previously explored
Reuters also reports that US officials had earlier explored relocating the group to Botswana, which VanDiver described as a more viable destination. The plan ultimately fell through after disagreements over US visa bond requirements, though neither government has publicly confirmed details.
The shift towards alternative destinations underscores the difficulty Washington faces in securing agreements that satisfy both humanitarian expectations and host-country conditions.
Africa’s role under growing scrutiny
For now, the future of the stranded Afghans remains unresolved. The absence of confirmed host countries or clear timelines continues to deepen uncertainty for families who have already spent years in transition.
For African governments, the episode signals a growing role in global migration management. As external powers increasingly turn to third-country resettlement frameworks, decisions taken in capitals such as Kinshasa could shape how the continent navigates competing pressures around sovereignty, capacity, and international cooperation.
