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Zambia Opens Its Border With Democratic Republic of Congo

13:50, 13 August 2024

CC BY 2.0 / Mike Rosenberg / Street in Lusaka, Zambia

Christina Glazkova

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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) exports a significant amount of copper, with a major route passing through Zambia. This shared border is crucial for transporting copper, as it provides access to international markets. The DRC is one of the world's largest copper producers, and this export route plays a vital role in its trade operations.

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Zambia has reopened its border with the DRC, which was closed over the weekend due to protests, according to Zambian Trade Minister Chipoka Mulenga.

"Last night, 12th August 2024, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo trade ministers agreed to honor the long-standing trade protocols as sister countries without imposing any sanctions on each other, but observing World Trade Organization's protocols and safety for all traders and equipment. Impediments raised before to be addressed by a trade committee to be composed of both trade ministries," he said on Monday.

Sub-Saharan Africa

DR Congo and Zambia in Talks to Reopen Border After Trade Dispute

12 August, 13:00

The closure followed demonstrations in the Congolese border town of Kasumbalesa, sparked by a Congolese ban on imported soft drinks and beer. Mulenga made this announcement in response to the protests by Congolese transporters.

On Monday, the DRC started discussions with Zambia to quickly reopen their shared border, which Zambia had closed on Saturday.