Lusaka, Zambia/Kinshasa, DRC – The border between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will reopen on Tuesday after a weekend closure triggered by protests over a Congolese ban on imported beverages.
The decision to reopen was announced jointly by the two countries on Monday, following intense diplomatic talks. The border closure had disrupted a crucial trade route for the DRC, the world’s second-largest copper producer.
The initial shutdown came after Congolese transporters staged demonstrations in the border town of Kasumbalesa, protesting a ban on imported soft drinks and beer imposed by the Congolese government. Zambia’s Trade Minister Chipoka Mulenga responded by closing the border on Saturday.
As a compromise, the DRC has agreed to allow the import of goods covered by the ban that were already in transit before the restrictions took effect.
The reopening of the border is expected to alleviate economic pressures on both countries, with the DRC heavily reliant on Zambia for copper exports.
