Trump administration considers sending Afghan allies to Congo, sparking backlash

By Aurax Radio | April 25, 2026 | 2 min read

Hundreds of Afghan refugees who aided US forces face possible relocation to a conflict-hit African nation after resettlement pathways to the United States stalled.

Afghan refugees gathered at a former US military base in Qatar during evacuation processing.

Afghan evacuees wait at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, where many have been stranded for months awaiting resettlement.

The Trump administration is weighing a controversial plan to relocate hundreds of Afghan refugees who assisted US forces during the war to the Democratic Republic of Congo, drawing sharp criticism from advocates and raising humanitarian concerns.

Around 1,100 Afghans — including interpreters, military partners and their families — have been stranded for over a year at a US-run facility in Qatar after visa processing and resettlement to the United States were halted.

US service members assist Afghan civilians boarding an evacuation plane at an airbase in Qatar.

Afghan evacuees prepare to board a US military aircraft during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Officials are now exploring third-country options, with the Congo emerging as a possible destination despite ongoing conflict and instability in the region.

Many of those affected were previously vetted and are eligible for US entry, but remain in limbo due to policy changes and restrictions introduced after President Donald Trump returned to office.

Civilians in a crowded displacement camp in eastern Congo amid ongoing conflict.

Displaced people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where ongoing conflict has created a major humanitarian crisis.

Advocacy groups and human rights organizations have condemned the proposal, warning that relocating vulnerable families — including hundreds of children — to a country facing its own humanitarian crisis could put them at further risk.

Refugees themselves have also voiced alarm, saying they fear violence if sent either back to Afghanistan or to another unstable region.

The plan follows earlier failed attempts to resettle the group in other countries and reflects a broader shift toward using third countries to manage refugee cases.

While US officials say discussions are ongoing and no final decision has been made, the proposal has intensified debate over Washington’s responsibility to Afghans who supported its military operations and now remain displaced.

Sources: Ap News, Reuters, The Guardian

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