The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has initiated talks with Zambia to swiftly reopen their shared border, which was closed by Zambia on Saturday. The closure has disrupted a crucial export route for the DRC, the world's second-largest copper producer.
"Talks between the Congolese and Zambian governments have started since this Sunday via videoconference to lead to the rapid reopening of the borders," the Congolese trade ministry said in a statement. "In the hours that follow, the two parties will meet in Lubumbashi in Haut-Katanga to find a lasting solution regarding trade."
The border closure followed a ban imposed by the DRC on imported soft drinks and beer from Zambia, which triggered protests by Congolese transporters in the border town of Kasumbalesa.
However, the Congolese ministry said it had received no formal notification of a trade dispute and was ready to address any concerns raised by Zambia through established trade agreement mechanisms.
Talks between the two governments have already begun via videoconference, with a follow-up meeting scheduled in Lubumbashi to find a lasting solution to the trade dispute, according to Congo's Trade Minister Julien Paluku Kahongy.
Kahongy emphasized that the trade agreement prohibits retaliatory measures, such as border closures.