Lusaka Aug 14: Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have agreed to reopen their border following a weekend closure triggered by a trade dispute.
In a joint statement, the commerce ministers of both countries announced the reopening of the border’s reopening to facilitate the movement of people and goods. This decision came after Zambian Commerce, Trade, and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga held discussions with Congolese officials in Lubumbashi, near the border.
The closure, which began on Sunday, was prompted by Congo’s ban on importing Zambian soft drinks and beer. The ban led to protests by Congolese truckers near the border town of Kasumbalesa and drew criticism from Zambian business groups, who warned that it could set a “dangerous precedent” for future trade relations.
The border closure posed a significant threat to Congo’s mineral exports, as Zambia is a crucial transit route for Congolese minerals such as gold, copper, and cobalt, which are vital for global industries including electric vehicle batteries and electronics.
Congo’s trade ministry expressed concern over the lack of a formal complaint from Zambia prior to the border’s closure and expressed hope that the recent negotiations in Lubumbashi would lead to a sustainable resolution.