Angola and Namibia Agree to Accept Deported Nationals as UK Imposes Visa Curbs on DR Congo
By TUW
Angola and Namibia have agreed to accept the return of their citizens who are living illegally in the United Kingdom, including individuals convicted of criminal offences, following diplomatic pressure from the British government to strengthen cooperation on deportations.
The UK Home Office confirmed late on Saturday that the agreements were reached as part of a wider push to tighten border controls and speed up the removal of foreign nationals who have no legal right to remain in the country. British authorities have warned that countries refusing to cooperate face visa-related penalties.
As part of this tougher stance, the United Kingdom has imposed visa restrictions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), accusing its government of failing to engage with the UK’s new policy on the return of undocumented migrants and convicted offenders. The measures affect travel privileges and are intended to pressure the Congolese authorities into accepting deported nationals.
Reacting to the developments, the UK Home Secretary publicly welcomed the cooperation shown by Angola and Namibia, describing it as a positive example of international responsibility. She warned, however, that countries unwilling to take back their citizens would face consequences.
She said the time had come for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to take responsibility for its nationals, adding that refusal to do so could result in the loss of visa privileges to enter the United Kingdom. According to her, the actions taken so far mark the beginning of a broader set of measures aimed at securing Britain’s borders and increasing the removal of individuals who have no legal right to stay in the country.
Under the new agreements, Angola and Namibia will work more closely with UK authorities on identity verification and travel documentation, allowing deportations to proceed more efficiently. The UK government believes this cooperation will help reduce delays in removals and strengthen enforcement of immigration laws.
The British authorities have made it clear that further diplomatic and administrative actions remain on the table for countries that continue to resist cooperation. Meanwhile, implementation of the return arrangements with Angola and Namibia is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
