DR Congo refugees express anger over poor living conditions after expulsion from neighbouring Congo

Dozens of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo have been expelled from Congo and are now living in make shift shelters in a neighborhood, north of Kinshasa.

According to the refugees’ leader, François Okitalodi, currently there are more than 800 people in total living near the Cardinal Malula Stadium. Out of these, 230 are children.

Additionally, the refugees said that 11 of their peers have died since they returned to Kinshasa in August.

Congo authorities expelled about 250,000 DR Congo nationals in 2015 after accusing illegal immigrants of engaging in crime.

The United Nations as well as human rights bodies have denounced the action taken by Congo’s authorities to disperse the refugees and alleged it had been accompanied by police brutality.

Local authorities in Kinshasa have given the refugees about $20 dollars to enable them start over, but the refugees say the amount is too little.