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
Cameroon–Mexico relations are the bilateral diplomatic relations between Cameroon and Mexico. Both countries are members of the United Nations.
History
On 22 December 1975, the two countries established diplomatic relations. Relations have developed mainly within the framework of multilateral forums.
In 2010, a delegation from the Women and Family Affairs Office of the Government of Mexico visited Cameroon as an example of bilateral cooperation. The delegation presented programs implemented by the Secretariat of Social Welfare, the National System for Integral Family Development, and the National Institute for Women. In addition, the Government of Mexico provides scholarships to Cameroonian students for postgraduate studies and offers courses in foreign policy and the Spanish language for diplomats at the Matías Romero Institute. That same year, a delegation from Cameroon's Center for Democracy and Electoral Studies, the Electoral Commission, and the National Forum of Strategic Electoral Campaign Stakeholders participated in an international seminar on elections and justice organized by Mexico's National Electoral Institute. In 2010, the Government of Cameroon also sent a seventeen-member delegation to Cancún to take part in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Further visits took place on various occasions. The deputy director for Central America and the Caribbean at Cameroon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited Mexico during Africa Week. The ambassador of Mexico to Nigeria, who was also accredited to Cameroon, represented the Mexican government at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Cameroon's independence in 2010. Another visit was made by Cameroon’s minister of economy, planning, and regional development to participate in the first meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, held in Mexico.
In 2019, several hundred Cameroonian migrants arrived in Mexico while traveling toward the Mexico–United States border. Many sought asylum in the United States due to human rights violations in Cameroon and the separatist conflict in Ambazonia. However, most Cameroonians were denied entry into the United States, and some ultimately received asylum in Mexico.
See also
- Foreign relations of Cameroon
- Foreign relations of Mexico
References
Mexico Category:Bilateral relations of Mexico