The institution stated, in a release spread by Actualite.CD, that it “does not participate in bilateral agreements such as the one signed” and, therefore, reserves the right to limit, reject, or suspend its participation if minimum protection standards cannot be guaranteed.

The organization added, however, that it can “offer assistance for the voluntary return of migrants who request it, in accordance with its mandate and applicable legal frameworks,” but regarding the terms or scope of the bilateral agreement, questions should be directed to government authorities.

The IOM insisted that it only assists with “strictly voluntary” returns, which are based on “the free, prior, and informed consent of the affected people.”

Following the US-DRC agreement’s announcement for the temporary welcome of migrants from third countries deported from US territory, the first group of 15 people arrived in Kinshasa on April 17.

The agreement, which has been questioned by several sectors, was defended by Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner before the National Assembly and also by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, who told a television station that it is “a service” that the DRC provides to the United States, although she admitted she did not know the nationalities of those who arrived in the country.

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