The Zambia government will be reopening its border with Democratic Republic of Congo after closing it during the weekend due to protests. The closure had blocked a major export route for the world’s second largest copper producer, according to the two countries via a joint statement made on Monday.
The border had heen sealed following an announcement by Zambian Trade Minister, Chipoka Mulenga on Saturday, and it will reopen on Tuesday, going by a separate statement from Congo’s trade ministry.
Mulenga had made the announcement after a Congolese ban on imported soft drinks and beer led to protests by Congolese transporters in Kasumbalesa, a border town in the country.
On Sunday, Congo said that talks had begun between the neighbouring countries to ensure a quick reopening of the border.
On Monday, the Congolese government said it would authorise the import of goods covered under the ban whose importation had been launched before the ban came into effect.
In 2023, Congo produced about 2.84 million tons of copper, making it the world’s number 2 producer and number 3 exporter of the product.
Meanwhile, Zambia is a major export route used by the Central African country. Majority of Congo’s copper exports pass through the town of Kasumbalesa and into Zambia.
