Congo and Central African Republic plan refugee repatriation

The Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic have begun coordinating a timetable for the voluntary return of Central African refugees currently residing in Congo. On October 19, Marie-France Lydie Hélène Pongault, the Congolese Minister of Social Affairs and Humanitarian Action, met with Central African President Faustin-Archange Touadéra in Bangui to deliver a formal letter from President Denis Sassou N’Guesso regarding the matter.

The initiative aims to facilitate the return of refugees under dignified and secure conditions. Both nations intend to work through their respective social affairs ministries to establish a formal schedule, with the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). While specific figures and exact dates have not been finalized, the two governments are working toward a goal of facilitating an initial repatriation before the end of 2026.