DRC Repatriates 121 Congolese From South Africa

The Democratic Republic of Congo has repatriated 121 of its citizens from South Africa in a government-organised operation following xenophobic violence that affected African migrant communities.

The group arrived at N'djili International Airport in Kinshasa on Friday, 17 July 2026, aboard a special Air Congo flight chartered by the Congolese government. The returnees included women and children, according to the DRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministry described the journey as the first voluntary repatriation flight arranged in response to the violence reported in South Africa on 5 and 6 May. The operation allowed Congolese citizens who wanted to leave the country to return home safely rather than remain in an uncertain security situation.

A Government-Led Humanitarian Response

The flight represents a direct response by Kinshasa to the concerns of Congolese nationals living abroad. The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the operation reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting Congolese citizens outside the country.

It also thanked the South African authorities for their cooperation in carrying out the repatriation.

The use of a specially chartered Air Congo flight gave the returnees an organised route back to Kinshasa. It also showed the importance of coordination between diplomatic officials, transport services and authorities in both countries when citizens face danger abroad.

Reports by APA News and Digital Congo confirmed that the flight was voluntary and carried 121 people to Kinshasa.

What Happened in South Africa?

The repatriation followed violent incidents targeting foreign African communities in South Africa in early May 2026.

When Foreign Affairs Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner briefed the DRC National Assembly on 8 May, she said the most serious incidents had been reported in Durban on 5 and 6 May. Information collected by the Congolese embassy included reports of intimidation, vandalism, looting and physical attacks in neighbourhoods occupied by African migrants.

Congolese nationals were among those affected. Some were seriously injured, while others lost property or temporarily left their homes because they feared for their safety. At the time of the minister's briefing, no Congolese death had been recorded.

The embassy in Pretoria responded by strengthening its monitoring, consular assistance and communication with Congolese community networks. It also worked to identify affected citizens and areas considered particularly sensitive.

Why the Repatriation

For the 121 returnees, the flight provided safety, certainty and a way to reunite with relatives or rebuild their lives at home.

For the wider Congolese diaspora, the operation sends an important message: citizens living outside the DRC remain entitled to consular protection and government support during a crisis.

The flight also reflects a practical form of diplomacy. Protecting citizens abroad requires more than public statements. It can involve documenting attacks, maintaining emergency communication, working with a host government, identifying people who want to leave and arranging secure transport.

By organising the flight, the DRC government moved from diplomatic monitoring to direct assistance. The operation may also provide a model for further action if more Congolese citizens voluntarily request help to return.

A Call for African Solidarity

The events that led to the flight also highlight the continuing danger of xenophobia on the continent.

African migrants often work, study, run businesses and raise families in countries other than their own. Violence based on nationality harms individuals and communities while weakening the principles of African cooperation and regional integration.

The May incidents therefore concern more than relations between the DRC and South Africa. They raise a broader question about how African governments protect migrants, prevent hate-driven violence and hold attackers accountable.

The Congolese government has said hostile acts against African foreign nationals conflict with South Africa's human-rights commitments. At the same time, Kinshasa's acknowledgement of South African cooperation during the repatriation shows that the two governments can work together on immediate humanitarian needs.

What Happens Next?

The 17 July flight was described as the first voluntary repatriation connected to the May violence. That wording leaves open the possibility of additional flights, although no further schedule was publicly confirmed in the reports available at the time of publication.

Attention will now turn to the reintegration of the returnees and the continued safety of Congolese citizens who remain in South Africa.

Further support could include temporary accommodation, help reconnecting with relatives, access to documents and health services, and assistance for people who lost homes, businesses or personal belongings. The exact measures available to the returning group had not been fully detailed publicly.

For now, the arrival of the 121 citizens at N'djili marks a concrete humanitarian intervention. It demonstrates that effective diplomacy can be measured not only through meetings and statements, but also through the safe return of citizens when they face serious danger abroad.