DR Congo accepts first set of deportees from the US

"The individuals concerned are admitted to the national territory under short-stay permits, in accordance with national legislation concerning the entry and residence of foreigners," a Congolese government statement said on Friday without giving any more details about the deportees.But a source at N'djili International Airport, where the group landed in the early hours of Friday, told the BBC that they were mostly Colombians and Peruvians.According to a minority report from the US senate's committee on foreign relations, the Trump administration has "likely" spent more than $40m (£30m) in third-country deportations up to January 2026, although the total cost is "unknown".The US has provided more than $32m "directly" to five countries - Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, El Salvador, Eswatini and Palau - it added.The US is also negotiating a minerals deal with DR Congo to help gain access to the central African country's vast reserves of key metals such as cobalt, tantalum, lithium and copper.Under Trump, the US has facilitated a peace deal between DR Congo and Rwanda, although implementation remains a challenge.At the conclusion of a fresh round of talks between the Congolese government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, both sides, who have been fighting in the east of the DR Congo, say they will allow in humanitarian aid, protect civilians and their infrastructure, and begin monitoring a permanent ceasefire.Delegates at the negotiations in Switzerland, mediated by the US and Qatar, said they were encouraged by their progress toward ending the conflict.