Congolese actor Anzor Alem stranded in Tanzania amid passport crisis

Anzor Alem.

Congolese actor and musician Anzor Alem is currently stranded in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, due to a passport crisis that has reportedly left many Congolese citizens abroad frustrated. The 24-year-old actor, known for his role in the 2022 movie “Tozoom”, had travelled to Tanzania for professional reasons. However, he has remained stuck in the country because of issues relating to his travel documents.

Speaking exclusively to DNB Stories Africa, Alem said:

“I’m currently in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in a situation I had never imagined. I am temporarily blocked here because of an administrative problem related to my travel documents.”

Congolese actor and singer Anzor Alem, currently stranded in Tanzania due to a passport crisis.

How it all started

Anzor Alem arrived in Tanzania with a temporary travel pass (laissez-passer) issued by Congolese authorities since he did not have a valid passport. However, the document only permits him to enter Tanzania but does not allow him to leave the country or travel elsewhere legally. This means Alem, who has international shows lined up, is now stuck in Dar es Salaam with no way to continue his career travels.

He recounted:

“When I arrived in Tanzania for professional reasons, I did not have a valid passport. The Congolese authorities had then issued me a pass, an exceptional document that allowed me to enter Tanzanian territory. But this document does not allow me to travel elsewhere or to legally leave the country. Result: I am stuck today, without the possibility of continuing my artistic commitments internationally.”

To back up his claims, Alem shared official travel documents with DNB Stories Africa, including his Congolese Laissez-Passer and immigration stamps from Tanzania.

A copy of Anzor Alem’s Laissez-Passer travel document.

The biometric passport problem

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) officially launched a new biometric passport system on June 5, 2025. The infrastructure includes 100 biometric capture stations – 50 within the country and 50 deployed at its diplomatic missions abroad.

However, Alem says no such facility has yet been set up in Dar es Salaam. He added that many Congolese citizens in Tanzania – including students, workers, and families – are facing the same frustration. According to Anzor, their old passports have been suspended, new ones are unavailable, and no transition measures have been provided.

Alem said: 

“Like me, many compatriots in Tanzania – students, workers, families – experience the same frustration. We are all in a kind of administrative vacuum: the old passports have been suspended, the new ones are not yet available, and no transition solution has been planned.”

Anzor Alem’s plea to authorities

Despite multiple attempts to get assistance from the Congolese Embassy in Tanzania, Alem says he has received no clear answers.

In his words:

“I would like to point out that my efforts with the DRC embassy in Dar es Salaam have, for the moment, led to nothing. No clear answer was given to me, despite my repeated requests for a biometric capture appointment.”

Beyond his struggle, he believes this exposes deeper questions about how Congolese institutions support their nationals abroad, especially during critical reforms.

Reflecting on the bigger implications of his ordeal, Alem added:

“This experience raises a much broader question: how do our institutions accompany their nationals abroad, especially in times of reform? Travel for study, work, or artistic reasons is an integral part of the lives of many Congolese. Not having access to reliable and available documents is a huge obstacle to our mobility and our projects.”

If the situation isn’t resolved soon, Alem could miss several upcoming artistic engagements, including a performance scheduled in Zambia. But for Alem, the issue goes beyond his career. It’s also about the image of Congolese consular services and how citizens abroad feel neglected. By sharing his story, Anzor Alem hopes to raise awareness and spark urgent action from Congolese authorities. 

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About Golden Madu

Golden Madu is a skilled SEO content writer and editor. He works at DNB Stories Africa as an editor and also volunteers as a writer for the holistic community, EssenceByAna. Golden Madu enjoys thriller movies and books. As someone who values family, he shares his best moments with loved ones and close friends.

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