MOGADISHU, Somalia – More than 50 Somali nationals detained in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been released following successful diplomatic efforts led by Somalia’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Congo, and the East African Community, Ilyas Ali Hassan.
The individuals had been held in several prisons across the country, including in the city of Lubumbashi, on various charges, mostly related to immigration and documentation issues.
Their release follows weeks of behind-the-scenes engagement between Somali and Congolese authorities aimed at securing the freedom of citizens stranded or detained abroad.
According to officials, Ambassador Ilyas formally requested their release in a letter delivered to the Congolese Ambassador to Tanzania, Jean Pierra Massala, earlier this week. The Congolese government responded swiftly, ordering the release of the detainees.
In a statement, Ambassador Ilyas thanked the Congolese authorities for their cooperation and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the areas of diplomacy, trade, and citizen protection.
