Democratic Republic of the Congo–South Sudan relations

Democratic Republic of the Congo–South Sudan relations are the bilateral diplomatic relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. The two countries share a state border measuring 714 km in length.

History

In 1998, the Sudan People's Liberation Army crossed the border and looted part of the northern territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At that time, border control was virtually nonexistent, and active arms trafficking may have taken place between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. Despite borders established by colonial powers that divided ethnic groups, postcolonial Congolese and Sudanese relied on shared ethnic affiliations to develop cross-border cultural, economic, and trade ties.

Civil wars in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan over the past thirty years have caused temporary and, in some cases, permanent migration of combatants between the two countries. The border is characterized by minimal control, difficult-to-access roads, and challenging terrain. Active and former soldiers of the Sudan People's Liberation Army have used their ethnic connections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to trade in weapons and other goods.

On 13 July 2011, the Democratic Republic of the Congo recognized the independence of South Sudan from Sudan.

In 2022, there were 56,303 refugees from South Sudan living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while 19,402 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo were residing in South Sudan. Both states are members of the East African Community.

See also

• Foreign relations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Foreign relations of South Sudan
• Democratic Republic of the Congo–South Sudan border

References

South Sudan Democratic Republic of the Congo