WASHINGTON: The United States is considering offering a group of Afghan evacuees stranded in Qatar the option of resettling in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or returning to Afghanistan under Taliban rule, according to AFP, quoting an activist familiar with the discussions.
The proposal comes amid broader immigration policy changes under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has prioritised stricter controls and a review of refugee programmes.
A deadline of March 31 had been set to close a temporary facility at a former US base in Qatar, where more than 1,100 Afghans have been awaiting resettlement.
These individuals, many of whom assisted US forces during the two-decade conflict, were evacuated following the collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government in 2021.
Since then, they have been undergoing processing while seeking relocation to the United States, citing fears of reprisals if returned to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Shawn VanDiver, head of AfghanEvac and a US military veteran, said he had been briefed on plans to offer relocation to DR Congo as an alternative. He strongly criticised the idea, arguing that transferring vulnerable families – including hundreds of children – to a country already grappling with instability and conflict would be inappropriate.
He suggested the proposal could effectively pressure evacuees into returning to Afghanistan, alleging it was designed to limit long-term resettlement commitments.
The US State Department declined to confirm whether DR Congo was being formally considered but acknowledged that “voluntary resettlement” to a third country was under review for those remaining at the As Sayliyah facility. Officials described such a move as a potential pathway to safety while balancing domestic security concerns.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo government has not publicly commented on any discussions regarding hosting Afghan evacuees.
The country itself faces a prolonged humanitarian crisis, with ongoing violence in its eastern regions and a significant internally displaced population.
Criticism has also emerged from US lawmakers. Senator Tim Kaine described the reported plan as deeply troubling, emphasising Washington’s moral and strategic obligation to protect Afghan partners who supported American operations.
He warned that failing to honour such commitments could undermine future international alliances.
Since the Taliban’s return to power, more than 190,000 Afghans have been resettled in the United States, the majority integrating without major issues. The relocation programme began under former president Joe Biden and initially received bipartisan support.
However, the current administration has scaled back refugee admissions and paused certain Afghan processing channels following a deadly shooting incident in Washington last year involving an Afghan national who had previously worked with US intelligence.
The future of the remaining evacuees in Qatar now hangs in the balance, as policymakers weigh security concerns against humanitarian obligations and longstanding commitments to wartime allies.
