Kabul Responds to Reports of Afghan Relocation From Qatar to Congo

Taliban say Afghans in Qatar can return home safely or travel legally, responding to reports of possible U.S.-linked relocation to Congo.

The Taliban-led foreign ministry in Afghanistan has responded to reports that Afghan nationals in Qatar could be relocated to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of U.S.-linked arrangements.

Spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said authorities are aware of claims that around 1,100 Afghans awaiting visa processing were asked to choose between returning home or transfer to a third country.

He said Afghanistan remains the shared homeland of all citizens and encouraged voluntary return, adding that returnees could come back with “full confidence and peace of mind.”

The Taliban also said Afghans wishing to travel onward to other countries should do so through legal and dignified channels, stressing readiness to engage with governments to protect citizens abroad.

The situation highlights ongoing uncertainty for Afghan evacuees stranded in transit countries since the 2021 withdrawal, many of whom are still awaiting resettlement decisions.

Restrictions on women’s education in Afghanistan remain among the most severe globally, with girls banned from secondary school and universities and women largely excluded from employment and public life. UN assessments show nearly 80% of young Afghan women are not in education, employment, or training, deepening long-term economic and social decline.

At the same time, Afghanistan is facing a growing influx of returnees from Iran and Pakistan, many of them women and children arriving without shelter, income, or access to services. The United Nations warns that these returnees face heightened risks of poverty, exploitation, and displacement, placing further strain on already overstretched communities.

The broader humanitarian crisis is worsening, with high unemployment, economic collapse, and aid cuts leaving millions dependent on assistance. UN agencies report that hunger, lack of healthcare, and limited livelihoods continue to expand, while reports also highlight reprisals, restrictions, and pressure on individuals linked to the former government, contributing to fear, instability, and reduced civic space across the country.

The issue has drawn attention in Washington, where lawmakers and advocacy groups have criticized proposals to relocate Afghan allies to conflict-affected regions, urging more stable resettlement solutions.

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