Three African nations have come under intense diplomatic pressure from the United Kingdom after the British government moved to enforce tougher immigration controls, once again placing the spotlight on Africa’s uneasy relationship with Western migration policies.
Namibia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have all now agreed to accept the return of foreign offenders and undocumented migrants from the UK, following a firm warning from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood that visa restrictions would be imposed if cooperation was not forthcoming. The agreements come barely a month after the UK openly threatened to punish the countries with travel sanctions, a move that critics say reflects a long-standing imbalance in how migration disputes are handled between Europe and Africa.
Speaking after securing the cooperation of the three governments, Mahmood made it clear that her approach would be uncompromising. According to her, any foreign government that refuses to take back its citizens who are in the UK illegally should expect “serious consequences.” She framed the move as part of a broader effort to restore what she described as “order and control” to Britain’s borders.
The Home Office had earlier accused Angola, Namibia and the DRC of deliberately frustrating the deportation process. Officials claimed that return flights were being delayed or blocked through excessive bureaucracy, including the refusal to process travel documents or the controversial requirement that migrants sign their own deportation papers—effectively giving them veto power over their removal. The UK government described these practices as “unacceptably poor and obstructive.”
In November, while unveiling changes to the UK’s asylum and immigration system, Mahmood warned that visa penalties would become a standard tool against countries that failed to cooperate on returns. Among the measures outlined was an “emergency brake” on visas for nationals of countries with high numbers of asylum claims in the UK, until those governments agreed to take back their citizens.
With agreements now in place, the Home Secretary announced that illegal migrants and individuals convicted of serious crimes would be deported to Angola, Namibia and the DRC. The UK government estimates that more than 3,000 people from the three countries could now be eligible for removal under the new arrangements.
However, the development has reignited debate about why African countries are so frequently the primary targets of such threats. Analysts point out that African states often lack the diplomatic leverage, economic power or reciprocal migration influence enjoyed by wealthier nations. Visa restrictions, which can have severe consequences for students, professionals and families, are far more damaging to African countries whose citizens already face limited global mobility.
There is also a historical dimension. Europe’s migration relationship with Africa has long been shaped by colonial legacies, economic inequality and security-driven policies. While Western countries benefit from African labour, resources and cooperation on issues such as counter-terrorism, African governments are often portrayed as uncooperative or obstructive when they push back against deportations that can strain fragile economies or social systems at home.
The UK government has signalled that the pressure will not stop with these three countries. Officials have indicated that nations which refuse to work with Britain on returns should not expect a “normal” visa relationship. Countries such as India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Somalia and Gabon are reportedly resistant to similar agreements, raising the possibility that further sanctions could be imposed.
For critics, the pattern is familiar: African countries repeatedly placed under threat, while broader questions about global inequality, conflict, and the role of Western foreign policy in driving migration are left largely unaddressed. For the UK government, however, the message remains straightforward; cooperate on deportations, or face consequences.
As Britain doubles down on enforcement-led migration policies, the episode underscores a growing tension between border control and diplomacy, with African nations once again finding themselves at the sharp end of Europe’s immigration crackdown.
