Tripartite Commission agrees phased approach for facilitating voluntary repatriation of Congolese refugees from Tanzania

The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania (URT), and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have agreed on a phased approach to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of Congolese refugees from Tanzania, following three days of high-level and technical discussions in Lubumbashi. The parties reaffirmed refugees' right to voluntarily return to the DRC while recognizing that current security conditions require a cautious and gradual approach.

Building on commitments made in December 2025 to explore options for voluntary returns, the parties recognized the longstanding hospitality and generosity of the URT, that currently hosts 87,654 Congolese refugees. The Tripartite Commission also reviewed results of the verification exercise for Congolese refugees residing in Nyarugusu camp wishing to return to the DRC.

As part of a phased approach, the focus will be initially on a limited number of refugees who have already expressed their wish to return. The parties stressed that this approach does not constitute the promotion of voluntary repatriation, but rather a response to requests from refugees who have independently expressed a desire to return.

Recalling that repatriation is not just crossing a border, but the reconstruction of a refugee’s life in their country of origin, the parties also highlighted the importance of ensuring continued access to education for Congolese refugee children in the United Republic of Tanzania. The Government of the URT also invited the Government of the DRC to undertake a visit to Nyarugusu Camp to engage directly with Congolese refugees and help strengthen their cultural and social ties with their country of origin.

The Commission also reviewed the potential for returns in safety and dignity, particularly in South Kivu, Tanganyika, and Haut-Katanga provinces, where most refugees indicated, they would like to return, although only certain areas conducive for return.

The Government of the URT, the Government of the DRC, and UNHCR reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation in search of solutions and agreed to maintain close collaboration through the Tripartite framework.

The joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of the Tripartite meeting is available here in English and in French.

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For further information, please contact:

• (In Kinshasa) Rachel Criswell, +243 81 70 09 484, [email protected]
• (In Dar-es-Salaam) Bahia Egeh, +255 765 168 179, [email protected]