This update was sent thru the American State Department. It's unclassified so we can share it.  We keep hearing "in a few weeks" and so to guard our hearts, we don't get too excited anymore when we hear that. 

Good Afternoon,

Last week, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield and other high level officials met with Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) Foreign Minister Tshibanda at the UN General Assembly in New York. Assistant Secretary Thomas-Greenfield stressed that there is no reason for the continued suspension on exit permits and that any new Congolese adoption law should not be retroactive. Mr. Tshibanda said that many cases are very close to resolution and a solution would come in just a few more weeks. Assistant Secretary Michele Bond has requested a follow-up meeting with DRC Ambassador Balumuene to obtain clarity on the timeline for the resolution of the cases. Our Embassy in Kinshasa also continues to press DRC officials to provide more information on the status of the cases.
The Department is pleased to report that the Adoptive Family Relief Act was passed by Congress this week and has been sent to the President for signature. This legislation allows for the waiver of the replacement visa processing fees for adopted children if extraordinary circumstances such as a foreign government’s adverse actions prevent the child from travelling to the United States before the first visa expires. This will hopefully lessen some of the financial burden on families waiting for exit permits from the DRC.
The Department of State posted an Adoption Alert regarding the DRC on October 5, 2015. The alert reiterated that while it is not within the Department’s purview to discuss legal ramifications for U.S. citizens who attempt to circumvent the exit permit suspension, U.S. citizens are subject to all laws and regulations in the country in which they are traveling or residing. Any information concerning such efforts could potentially become the subject of law enforcement investigation. Further, U.S. adoptive families of Congolese children are cautioned that attempting to circumvent the exit permit suspension could have severe implications.
Lastly, there will be an American Chamber of Commerce meeting on October 16, 2015 in Kinshasa between in-country adoptive families and both U.S. and Congolese businessmen to share positive stories and dispel misperceptions regarding intercountry adoption.
Best Wishes,
Team DRC
This email is UNCLASSIFIED.