Democratic Republic of the Congo–Tanzania relations are the bilateral diplomatic relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania. The two countries share a state border that is 479 km long.
History
In October 2016, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Joseph Kabila paid an official visit to Dar es Salaam, where he met with Tanzanian president John Magufuli. During the three-day visit, the two sides discussed increasing trade turnover, as more than 50% of goods from eastern DR Congo reach global markets through ports in Tanzania. In addition, a memorandum of understanding on the extraction of natural resources from Lake Tanganyika was signed.
In 2018, 84,088 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo were living in Tanzania.
Trade
Trade volume between the two countries increased from 23.1 billion Tanzanian shillings in 2009 to 393.6 billion Tanzanian shillings in 2015. In February 2017, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania reached an agreement to construct a bridge over the border Luapula River, with the project cost estimated at US$85 million.. The new road across the Luapula will facilitate the transportation of goods between eastern DR Congo, Zambia, and Tanzanian ports.
In September 2018, food containers destined for the DR Congo accumulated at the Port of Dar es Salaam, hindering its operations. The crisis resulted from suspicions by Tanzanian authorities that exporters intended to sell part of the cargo on the domestic Tanzanian market in order to avoid import duties.
See also
- Foreign relations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Foreign relations of Tanzania
- Democratic Republic of the Congo–Tanzania border
References
Tanzania Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo–Zambia relations are the bilateral diplomatic relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (known as Zaire until 1997) and Zambia. The two countries share a state border that is 2,332 km long.
History
In the 1980s, following the rise to power of Mobutu Sese Seko in Zaire, the country's relations with several neighboring states deteriorated sharply. In particular, the Zairian government began to view Zambia and Tanzania as hostile states. Border clashes between Zaire and Zambia began, often ending in exchanges of gunfire. In August 1984, relations between the two countries worsened further when the Zairian authorities announced the deportation of Zambian immigrants in retaliation for Zambia's expulsion of migrants from Zaire and West Africa in July of that year. However, on 25 August 1984, Mobutu Sese Seko canceled the deportation order, although many Zambians had already left the country by that time. According to reports from radio stations in Lusaka, Zairian officials lured Zambians to stadiums under the pretext of delivering important information from Lusaka, where they were subsequently beaten.
The main cause of hostility between Zaire and Zambia lay in the economic sphere. Smuggled goods from Zambia were entering the rebellious Zairian region of Shaba, which led to significant tensions between the two countries. In 1983, Zambia was forced to deploy additional troops along the border in order to stop the flow of contraband. From that point onward, periodic border incidents began, involving clashes between Zairian and Zambian soldiers. At the end of 1984, Zaire announced the creation of a Civil Guard to patrol the border so that such incidents would not directly lead to war between the two countries. In 1988, both states introduced strict visa regimes in an attempt to halt the flow of smuggled goods. In 1989, Zaire and Zambia signed an agreement on the delimitation of the state border. In November 1991, Zaire and Zambia resumed railway connections between the two countries.
In 1996, a civil war began in Zaire. As a result of the fighting, thousands of Zairians crossed the border into Zambia and settled in refugee camps. Following the war, Mobutu Sese Seko was overthrown, and Zaire was renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1998, the Second Congo War broke out on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, involving nine states. In July 1999, a ceasefire agreement concerning the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was signed in Lusaka.
At present, Zambia claims part of the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo located on the right bank of the Lunkinda River. In 2016, 21,338 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo were living in Zambia.
Trade
In 2014, Zambia's exports to the Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to USD 803 million. In 2017, the two countries agreed on the construction of a bridge across the Luapula River, with the project's cost estimated at US$85 million.
See also
- Foreign relations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Foreign relations of Zambia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo–Zambia border
References
Zambia Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo–South Korea relations refer to the bilateral relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Korea. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 1 April 1963. Democratic Republic of the Congo has an embassy in Seoul. South Korea has an embassy in Kinshasa.
History
The Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Korea officially established diplomatic relations on 1 April 1963. Since then, the two countries have maintained diplomatic ties and continued political and diplomatic cooperation.
In 1969, South Korea established a resident embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then known as Zaire), marking the formal institutionalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Since establishing relations, the two nations have developed their ties through exchanges of ministerial and high-level officials. Notably, in 2011, South Korean president Lee Myung-bak visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of his tour of Africa to discuss resources, development cooperation, and ways to expand bilateral collaboration.
South Korea maintains an embassy in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In 2023, to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, South Korea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo jointly held commemorative events in the diplomatic and cultural sectors, reaffirming their friendly relations.
Economic Cooperation
Trade
Trade between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Korea is relatively limited in scale but has a complementary structure. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is rich in natural resources, particularly minerals such as copper and cobalt, while South Korea primarily exports machinery and industrial finished products.
Development Assistance
South Korea has promoted development cooperation with the Democratic Republic of the Congo mainly through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Key areas of cooperation include strengthening public administration capacity, healthcare, and education, with programs being implemented in the form of grant aid on an ongoing basis.
Cultural and Human Exchange
South Korea has supported the development of cultural infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, notably participating in the establishment of the National Museum of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This museum is regarded as a symbolic achievement of cultural cooperation between the two countries.
In addition, both countries have gradually expanded human exchanges through cultural events, film festivals, and academic exchanges.
Democratic Republic of the Congo Nationals in South Korea
In South Korea, there is a small community of residents and professionals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They come from diverse backgrounds, including students, workers, and individuals active in cultural and artistic fields. Although relatively limited in number, they serve as a bridge between Korean society and African cultures.
Among them, individuals such as Jonathan Yiombi are notable examples. Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he moved to South Korea with his family during childhood and has since built a career as a broadcaster and entertainer.
Jonathan has appeared on numerous Korean television programs and YouTube channels, gaining public recognition and serving as a prominent example of an African-origin entertainer in South Korea. In past interviews, he has spoken about his identity and experiences living in Korean society.
While the Congolese community in South Korea remains small, it is gradually becoming recognized as part of the country's cultural diversity and foreign resident population.
See also
- Foreign relations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Foreign relations of South Korea
References
External links
Korea, South Category:Bilateral relations of South Korea
Cameroon–South Korea relations refer to the diplomatic, economic, development, cultural, and people-to-people relations between Cameroon and South Korea. The two countries have maintained continuous cooperation since establishing diplomatic relations in 1961.
History
Since establishing formal diplomatic relations in 1961, Cameroon and South Korea have developed their relationship primarily through development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. The two countries have continued to cooperate in international conferences and multilateral diplomatic forums. South Korea, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has supported various Official development assistance (ODA) projects in Cameroon in areas such as health, education, vocational training, and infrastructure.
Economic and trade exchanges have gradually expanded, with South Korea exporting manufactured goods and machinery, and Cameroon exporting agricultural products and minerals. In recent years, the two countries have explored cooperation in additional areas, including culture, sports, science and technology, and energy, diversifying their bilateral relationship.
Economic relations
Trade between South Korea and Cameroon is relatively modest. South Korea exports machinery, automobiles, and electronics, while Cameroon exports raw materials and agricultural products. KOICA has also implemented projects in Cameroon aimed at modernizing agriculture and improving access to drinking water, supporting the country's economic and social infrastructure development.
Cameroonians in South Korea
The Cameroonian community in South Korea is relatively small, consisting mainly of students, professionals, and individuals working in the arts and sports. In recent years, the number of residents from Africa in South Korea has steadily increased, and Cameroonians, though few in number, form part of a gradually diversifying African community in the country.
Refugees
One of the most well-known Cameroonians in South Korea is boxer Abdoulaye Assan. He participated in the 2015 CISM World Games in South Korea as a member of the Cameroonian national boxing team and subsequently applied for asylum. Assan cited violence and poor treatment within the Cameroonian military boxing team as grounds for persecution and requested refugee status.
On 18 July 2017, the South Korean government officially granted him refugee status. Shortly after receiving this recognition, he made his professional boxing debut in South Korea, winning a super welterweight championship title. He has since participated in charity matches and international bouts, including competitions against Japanese opponents.
See also
- Foreign relations of Cameroon
- Foreign relations of South Korea
References
External links
Korea, South Category:Bilateral relations of South Korea