Zambia and Congo agreed to reopen their border on Monday after resolving a trade dispute that led to Zambia closing the border over the weekend. The closure followed Congo’s ban on importing Zambian soft drinks and beer, sparking protests by Congolese truckers and criticism from Zambian business groups. Zambia’s commerce minister, Chipoka Mulenga, met with Congolese officials in Lubumbashi, where they agreed to restore the free movement of people and goods. The Zambian Association of Manufacturers warned the ban could set a “dangerous precedent” for future trade relations. The border closure had threatened Congo’s mineral exports, as much of its cobalt, gold, and copper passes through Zambia. Congo’s trade ministry expressed hope for a lasting solution, noting it had not received a formal complaint before the closure.
