Zambia and Congo have agreed to reopen their border on Monday after resolving a trade dispute that led Zambia to close the border over the weekend.
In a joint statement, the commerce ministers of both countries announced that the border would be reopened to restore the free movement of people and goods between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Zambia. The decision came after Zambia’s Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Chipoka Mulenga, met with Congolese officials in Lubumbashi, near the border.
Zambia had closed its border on Sunday following Congo’s ban on importing soft drinks and beer from Zambia, which sparked protests by Congolese truckers near the border town of Kasumbalesa and drew criticism from Zambian business groups. The Zambian Association of Manufacturers warned that the ban could set a “dangerous precedent for future trade relations.”
The border closure threatened Congo’s ability to export its minerals, as much of the country’s gold, copper, and cobalt reserves pass through Zambia en route to the coast for shipping. Congo, the world’s largest producer of cobalt—a key component in batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones, and computers—relies heavily on Zambia as a gateway for its imports.
Congo’s trade ministry expressed surprise at Zambia’s move, noting that it had not received a formal complaint before the border was closed. The ministry hopes that the discussions in Lubumbashi will lead to a “lasting solution.”