Following the Home Secretary’s warning that they would be subject to visa consequences, three African nations have consented to take in the repatriation of foreign criminals and those who are in the UK illegally.
Following Shabana Mahmood’s threats, Namibia and Angola negotiated return deals with the UK in December. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has now also agreed to cooperate.
Following the most recent agreement, Mahmood stated, “My message is clear: if foreign governments refuse to accept the return of their citizens, then they will face consequences,” according to the BBC.
Prior to this, the UK government had threatened to limit visas for citizens of Namibia, the DRC, and Angola unless their countries cooperated more on removals.
Returns to the three nations have been frequently delayed, according to the Home Office, with paperwork either going unprocessed or requiring people to sign their own documents, thereby granting them a veto. Officials warned that sanctions would be imposed and characterized the situation as the consequence of “unacceptably poor and obstructive returns processes.”
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In November, Mahmood announced changes to the UK’s asylum system, including the imposition of visa sanctions on nations that did not comply with returns. Until they agree to repatriate nationals who are in the UK illegally, nations with a high number of asylum claims will be subject to a “emergency brake” on visas.
“Dangerous criminals and illegal migrants will now be removed and deported back to Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Mahmood declared after the agreements.
She then on, “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect our borders and maintain order.”
According to the administration, approximately 3,000 individuals from the three nations may now be subject to deportation or removal.
36,475 returns and deportations from the UK occurred in the year ending September 2025, an 11% rise over the preceding 12 months. Foreign national offenders made up about 5,000 of those expelled, with 48% coming from EU nations and 52% from non-EU ones.
Countries who fail to cooperate on returns can not anticipate a regular visa relationship with the UK, according to the Home Secretary, and additional action may be taken. It is acknowledged that the governments of Bangladesh, Somalia, Gabon, Nigeria, India, and Pakistan continue to oppose returns agreements, and sanctions may be taken into consideration.
Increased removals are intended to discourage people from trying to enter the UK by traveling across the English Channel in tiny boats, according to ministers. 41,472 migrants traveled there last year, a 13% increase from the previous year.
In order to facilitate deportations, European nations, including the UK, decided at the end of last year to negotiate a new interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Kemi Badenoch, the party leader, has stated that the Conservatives would withdraw from the treaty, claiming it is essential to “protect our borders.”
