Foreign relations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Introduction File:Diplomatic relations of DR Congo.svg|300px|thumb|Nations with which Democratic Republic of Congo has diplomatic relations.Its location in the center of Africa has made the Democratic Republic of the Congo (at one time known as Zaire) a key player in the region since independence. Because of its size, mineral wealth, and strategic location, Zaire was able to capitalize on Cold War tensions to garner support from the West. In the early 1990s, however, with the end of the Cold War and in the face of growing evidence of human rights abuses, Western support waned as pressure for internal reform increased.The Democratic Republic of the Congo is in the grip of a civil war that has drawn in military forces from neighboring states, with Ugandan, Burundian, and Rwandan forces helping the rebel movement which occupies much of the eastern portion of the state.One problem is the continuing theft of mineral resources, such as coltan, by occupying forces. One estimate has the Rwandan army making $350 million in 48 months from the sale of coltan, even though Rwanda has no coltan deposits. Not only can the DRC not make any money from its mineral wealth, due to its inability to tax anything in rebel-held areas, but the wealth is also used itself to finance insurgent activities.Troops from Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Chad, and Sudan support the Kinshasa regime.Furthermore, relations with surrounding countries have often been driven by security concerns. Intricate and interlocking alliances have often characterized regional relations. Conflicts in Sudan, Uganda, Angola, Rwanda, and Burundi have at various times created bilateral and regional tensions. The current crisis in DRC has its roots both in the use of The Congo as a base by various insurgency groups attacking neighboring countries and in the absence of a broad-based political system in the Congo.The Democratic Republic of the Congo is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the U.S.-military (as covered under Article 98).
Disputes – international Democratic Republic of the Congo is in the grip of a civil war that has drawn in military forces from neighboring states, with Uganda and Rwanda supporting the rebel movements that occupy much of the eastern portion of the state – Tutsi, Hutu, Lendu, Hema and other conflicting ethnic groups, political rebels, and various government forces continue fighting in Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda – heads of the Great Lakes states pledge to end conflict, but localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts; most of the Congo River boundary with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area).On December 19, 2005, the International Court of Justice found against Uganda, in a case brought by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for illegal invasion of its territory, and violation of human rights.
Illicit drugs The DRC has some illicit production of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumption. While rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leaves the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center.
Bilateral relations ===Africa=== Country Formal Relations BeganNotes* Algeria has an embassy in Kinshasa. * DR Congo has an embassy in Algiers.29 July 1978Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 July 1978See Angola–Democratic Republic of the Congo relations* Angola has an embassy in Kinshasa. * DR Congo has an embassy in Luanda.1961Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1961 when has been accredited Mr. Paul Fabo as Charge d'Affaires of Dahomey to Leopoldville (Kinshasa) (1961-1963) and later ambassador to DRC (Zaire) (1963-1973). * Burundi has an embassy in Kinshasa. * DR Congo has an embassy in Bujumbura.29 June 1965Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 June 1965* CAR has an embassy in Kinshasa. * DR Congo has an embassy in Bangui. * Chad has an embassy in Kinshasa. * DR Congo has an embassy in N'Djamena and a consulate in Moundou. * Côte d'Ivoire has an embassy in Kinshasa. * DR Congo has an embassy in Abidjan.30 June 1960Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1960* DR Congo has an embassy in Cairo. * Egypt has an embassy in Kinshasa.See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Republic of the Congo relations* Congo has an embassy in Kinshasa. * DR Congo has an embassy in Brazzaville.19 October 2023Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 October 2023 when Ambassador of Djibouti to DRC Mr. Mohamed Bourhan Ali has presented his credentials to President Félix Tshisekedi.28 January 1970Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 January 197019 July 1974Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 July 1974See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Kenya relations* DR Congo has an embassy in Nairobi. * Kenya has an embassy in Kinshasa.30 June 1960Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 196026 July 1974Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 July 197419 June 1976Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 June 197627 September 1968Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 September 196830 July 1976Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 July 19764 October 1990See Democratic Republic of the Congo-Namibia relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 4 October 1990. * DR Congo has an embassy in Windhoek. * Namibia has an embassy in Kinshasa. * DR Congo has an embassy in Abuja. * Nigeria has an embassy in Kinshasa.Rwandan President Paul Kagame met with the Democratic Republic of the Congo's President Joseph Kabila in Goma on 6 August 2009.It was the first presidential meeting between the two countries for 13 years, with the two countries having come to a disagreement in 1996 following an invasion by Rwanda into eastern Congo, a disagreement which was renewed in 1998 after a further invasion. The pair of presidents spent more than two hours in the company of each other and "reviewed all issues of common interest". Kabila referred to it as "the first giant step forward" in what was referred to as an "all new era". One month previous to the meeting both countries had appointed ambassadors to each other's capitals.In August 2013, Rwanda accused Congolese forces of persistently shelling Congo's territory after a flare-up of fighting in the eastern Congo. * DR Congo has an embassy in Kigali. * Rwanda has an embassy in Kinshasa. * DR Congo has an embassy in Dakar. * Senegal has an embassy in Kinshasa.20 January 1975Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 January 197530 September 1992Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 September 1992* DR Congo has an embassy in Pretoria. * South Africa has an embassy in Kinshasa and a consulate-general in Lubumbashi.30 May 1964Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 May 1964 when Andrew Tibandebage is appointed as Ambassador of Tanganyika to Congo (Leopoldville)* DR Congo has an embassy in Dar es Salaam and a consulate-general in Kigoma. * Tanzania has an embassy in Kinshasa.14 July 1970Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 July 1970 when Congo-Kinshasa's first Ambassador to Togo, Mr. Kondo Belan, presented his credentials to Head of State Etienne Eyadema.4 March 1963Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 March 1963* DR Congo has an embassy in Kampala. * Uganda has an embassy in Kinshasa.24 October 1964Both countries established diplomatic relations on Zambia's independence 24 October 1964, when Democratic Republic of the Congo has raised its consulate-general in Lusaka to embassy level, and consul Mabita has been promoted to chargé d'affaires* DR Congo has an embassy in Lusaka. * Zambia has an embassy in Kinshasa.===Americas=== Country Formal Relations BeganNotes4 October 1972Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 October 1972* Argentina is accredited to the DR Congo from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria. * DR Congo has an embassy in Buenos Aires.31 October 1968See Brazil–Democratic Republic of the Congo relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 31 October 1968* Brazil has an embassy in Kinshasa. * DR Congo has an embassy in Brasilia.12 June 1962See Canada–Democratic Republic of the Congo relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 12 June 1962 Canada and the D.R. Congo share full membership in Francophonie. Canada was the D.R. Congo's ninth-largest country donor of official development assistance over 1960–2009, disbursing a total of US$0.89 billion in constant 2008 US dollars, or 2.4% of DRC's total bilateral aid receipts. In 2009, Cdn.$3.3 billion in assets were held by thirteen large-scale and junior Canadian mining companies in the DRC, a ten-fold increase from 2001. * Canada has an embassy in Kinshasa. * DR Congo has an embassy in Ottawa.15 April 1974Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 April 1974* Cuba has an embassy in Kinshasa. * DR Congo has an embassy in Havana.29 February 1980Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 February 19801 October 1986Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 October 198631 July 1975See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Mexico relationsBoth nations established diplomatic relations on 31 July 1975* DR Congo does not have an accreditation to Mexico. * Mexico is accredited to DR Congo from its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.16 April 1987Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 April 1987.3 August 1975Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 August 1975.30 June 1960See Democratic Republic of the Congo-United States relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1960The United States appointed its current ambassador to the D.R.C. in 2007.The D.R.C. appointed its current ambassador to the United States in 2000.The Congo has been on the State Department's travel advisory list since 1977. * DR Congo has an embassy in Washington, D.C.* United States has an embassy in Kinshasa.31 April 1984Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 April 1984In December 2021, President Luis Lacalle Pou paid a visit to Bukavu and Goma and visited with Uruguayan soldiers stationed there as part of MONUSCO in Eastern DR Congo. * DR Congo is accredited to Uruguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. * Uruguay is accredited to the DR Congo from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.3 May 2005Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 May 2005===Asia=== Country Formal Relations BeganNotes11 October 2015Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 October 201523 September 2011See Azerbaijan-Democratic Republic of the Congo relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 23 September 201124 November 1972See China-Democratic Republic of the Congo relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 24 November 1972China is a large investor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, primarily in the secondary (manufacturing) and primary (resource extraction) markets. * China has an embassy in Kinshasa. * DR Congo has an embassy in Beijing.14 January 2011Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 January 2011August 1960See Democratic Republic of the Congo–India relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations in August 1960 when India had decided to open an Embassy in Leopoldville (Kinshasa). * DR Congo has an embassy in New Delhi. * India has an embassy in Kinshasa.11 February 1973Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 February 1973 and Embassy of Iran in Kinshasa open in November 1973* DR Congo has an embassy in Tel Aviv. * Israel has a Honorary Consulate in Kinshasa.30 June 1960Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1960* DR Congo has an embassy in Tokyo. * Japan has an embassy in Kinshasa.16 September 2002Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 September 200227 November 1990Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 November 1990* DR Congo is accredited to Lebanon from its embassy in Cairo, Egypt. * Lebanon has an embassy in Kinshasa.22 September 2006Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 September 20066 November 2019Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 November 201913 September 1973Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 September 197323 March 1984Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 March 19841 April 1963Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 April 1963* DR Congo has an embassy in Seoul. * South Korea has an embassy in Kinshasa.13 May 1978Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 May 1978 when the Government of Zaire has appointed Mr. Makunga Nzau as the first Ambassador of Zaire to Sri Lanka.14 February 1969Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 February 196922 October 1975Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 October 1975* Democratic Republic of Congo has an embassy in Ankara. *Turkey has an embassy in Kinshasa. *Trade volume between the two countries was US$54.7 million in 2019.13 April 1961Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 April 1961===Europe=== Country Formal Relations BeganNotes2 July 1960See Belgium–Democratic Republic of the Congo relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 2 July 1960 when establishment of the Belgian diplomatic mission in Leopoldville and Jean Van den Bosch becomes the Belgian ambassador. * Belgium has an embassy in Kinshasa and a consulate-general in Lubumbashi. * DR Congo has an embassy in Brussels and a consulate-general in Antwerp.20 March 1995Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 March 199522 February 1961Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 February 196119 October 2007Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 October 200730 June 1960Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 19601 August 1962Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 August 1962.3 July 2018Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 July 20183 April 1970Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 April 197030 June 1960Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1960* DR Congo has an embassy in Paris. * France has an embassy in Kinshasa.30 June 1960See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Germany relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1960* DR Congo has an embassy in Berlin. * Germany has an embassy in Kinshasa.15 June 1966See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Greece relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 15 June 1966 when Ambassador of Democratic Republic of Congo to Greece M. Joseph Kahamba , presented his credentials to King Constantin.Both countries are full members of Francophonie. In July 2009, the Greek government pledged US$500,000 through the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for humanitarian assistance to Congo. * DR Congo has an embassy in Athens. * Greece has an embassy in Kinshasa.16 June 1973Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 June 197323 February 2007Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 February 200721 July 1960See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Italy relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 21 July 1960 when accredited first Ambassador of Italy to Congo (Leopoldville) Mr. Pietro Franca* DR Congo has an embassy in Rome. * Italy has an embassy in Kinshasa.14 January 2011Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 January 20117 September 1965Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 September 19655 July 2018Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 July 201822 September 2010Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 September 201025 July 1960Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 July 1960* DR Congo has an embassy in The Hague. * Netherlands has an embassy in Kinshasa.27 September 1999Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 September 199927 September 1969See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Norway relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 27 September 1969* DR Congo is accredited to Norway from its embassy in London, United Kingdom. * Norway is accredited to the DR Congo from its embassy in Luanda, Angola.30 June 1960Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1960* DR Congo has an embassy in Warsaw. * Poland is accredited to the DR Congo from its embassy in Luanda, Angola.7 July 1960Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 July 1960* DR Congo has an embassy in Lisbon. * Portugal has an embassy in Kinshasa.14 October 1966Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 October 19667 July 1960See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Russia relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 7 July 1960*DR Congo has an embassy in Moscow. * Russia has an embassy in Kinshasa.1961Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1961* DR Congo has an embassy in Belgrade. * Serbia has an embassy in Kinshasa.18 February 1993Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 February 199325 February 2011Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 February 20113 November 1964See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Spain relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 3 November 1964* DR Congo has an embassy in Madrid. * Spain has an embassy in Kinshasa. * DR Congo has an embassy in Stockholm. * Sweden has an embassy in Kinshasa.12 October 1962Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 October 1962 when appointed first Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of Switzerland to Republic of Congo (Leopoldville) Mr. Paul Etienne Jaccaud13 April 1999Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 April 19997 July 1960See Democratic Republic of the Congo–United Kingdom relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 7 July 1960 when Mr. Ian Dixon Scott, Consul-General of United Kingdom in Leopoldville has been appointed as the first British Ambassador to the Congo-Leopoldville. * DR Congo has an embassy in London. * United Kingdom has an embassy in Kinshasa.
See also * List of diplomatic missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
References