- To strengthen bilateral ties, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya have signed crucial agreements on transport, security, and trade.
- The agreement was signed during the first three-day state visit of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to the Democratic Republic of Congo, starting April 20.
To strengthen bilateral ties, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya have signed crucial agreements on transport, security, and trade. The agreement was signed during the first three-day state visit of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to the Democratic Republic of Congo, starting April 20.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates that President Kenyatta’s state visit, at the invitation of President Félix Tshisekedi, is expected to strengthen bilateral ties between Kenya and the DRC through expanded trade and people-to-people interactions.
A new agreement to handle cargo from the port of Mombasa, granting the DRC certain privileges for using Kenyan facilities, was signed during the visit. Kenya also proposes opening diplomatic posts in Goma and Lubumbashi in eastern DRC to facilitate consular services for traders. The revised agreement on maritime cargo management will form the basic legal framework for handling all cargo arriving via Mombasa destined for the DRC.
In 2020, trade between Kenya and the DRC amounted to 1.8 billion shillings, 70% of which were goods sold to eastern DRC. The agreement is expected to reduce delays on DRC imports by dedicating customs clearance channels for goods destined for the Congolese market. Reports indicate the arrangement could include specialized areas for goods from the Congo, and its officials might be deployed in Kenyan ports to speed up the clearance of goods.
President Kenyatta urged technical teams from both sides to facilitate the movement of people between the two countries. Establishing a proper framework for cargo handling will also lead to the harmonization of fees levied on goods imported into their territories. The new agreement will address anomalies in the bilateral air services and cargo transport agreement.
The signing of a defense cooperation agreement will cover law enforcement, counter-terrorism, maritime and air security, immigration, and future customs matters, especially before the DRC joins the East African Community. The agreement covers cooperation in counter-terrorism, arms smuggling, regulated immigration, customs control, and cybersecurity.