Rdc, hcr, rca en tripartite pour le retour de milliers de centrafricains

Kinshasa hosts the second tripartite meeting between the Democratic Republic of Congo, the UNHCR, and the Central African Republic from Tuesday 9 to Thursday 12 June. The focus is on repatriating Central African refugees living in the DRC. Congolese, Central African, and UNHCR experts are gathered around the table to discuss next steps.

Pierre Atchom, UNHCR country representative in the DRC, stated 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. An additional 65,000 new Central African asylum seekers arrived in May 2025 in the locality of Zapaï, located in the Ango territory (Bas-Uélé).

Éric Mukandila, permanent secretary of the National Commission for Refugees (CNR) and head of the DRC delegation, recalled that the voluntary repatriation process resumed after previously conflict-affected areas were pacified, following an agreement signed in July 2019 between the DRC, CAR, and UNHCR.

“That accord was strengthened by the 2022 Yaoundé Declaration, which promotes a regional approach to finding and implementing sustainable solutions for people forcibly displaced by the Central African crisis,” said the Congolese delegate. He emphasized that 40,000 Central Africans have already returned to CAR since 2019, with safe and dignified conditions provided by UNHCR in collaboration with both governments.

“Faced with this situation, which causes anger and discouragement among those wishing to return, a thorough review is essential to identify solutions for a safe and dignified repatriation,” he added.

Mesmin Guenguebe Mbari, adviser on Central African territorial planning and head of the CAR delegation, welcomed that more than 43% of Central Africans have returned from the DRC thanks to the agreement. He outlined his country’s forecast for this year: the potential return of nearly 60,000 refugees from various asylum countries, supported by an innovative strategy of development poles in return areas within CAR. He called for pragmatic, frank discussions and a methodical pause to scientifically evaluate the lives of those already returned, analyze their integration into communities, and measure the real impact of the aid provided.