Ascension : Press Release - Update on Repatriation of the two Nationals From the Democratic Republic of Congo
Submitted by The Islander (Ascension Island Government) 24.01.2008 (Article Archived on 07.02.2008)

The Office of the Governor has today announced that the two stowaways from the Democratic Republic of Congo will not travel on the RMS St Helena tomorrow, 23 January, as originally intended, since there are no available berths.

The Office of the Governor has today announced that the two stowaways from the Democratic Republic of Congo will not travel on the RMS St Helena tomorrow, 23 January, as originally intended, since there are no available berths.

While berths had been allocated to the two DRC Nationals, these had to be given up in favour of two Islanders who need to travel to Cape Town urgently for medical treatment.

Therefore, the DRC Nationals will remain in HM Prison until 14 February when they will travel on the RMS to Walvis Bay, where the Namibian authorities have granted them permission to land. From there, they will travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The two DRC Nationals are being held under St Helena entry clearance legislation, which allows them to be detained in a place of safety until repatriation can be arranged by the St Helena Government.