This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information.(November 2013) |
Democratic Republic of Congo (abbreviated as DRC) formerly known as Zaire is a country located in central Africa. Its the second largest country in Africa and 11th in the world.
United Nations Mission |
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Democratic Republic of the Congoportal |
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[ citation needed ]. 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).
The 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.
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.
List of Countries which the Democratic Republic of the Congo maintains diplomatic relations with:
# | Country | Date |
---|---|---|
1 | Czech Republic | 30 June 1960 [1] |
2 | Egypt | 30 June 1960 [2] |
3 | France | 30 June 1960 [3] |
4 | Germany | 30 June 1960 [4] [5] |
5 | Israel | 30 June 1960 [6] |
6 | Japan | 30 June 1960 [7] |
7 | Liberia | 30 June 1960 [8] |
8 | Poland | 30 June 1960 [9] |
9 | United States | 30 June 1960 [10] |
10 | Ghana | 1 July 1960 [11] |
11 | Belgium | 2 July 1960 [12] |
12 | Portugal | 7 July 1960 [13] |
13 | Russia | 7 July 1960 [14] |
14 | United Kingdom | 7 July 1960 [15] |
15 | Italy | 21 July 1960 [16] |
16 | Netherlands | 25 July 1960 [17] |
17 | Sudan | 9 August 1960 [18] |
18 | India | August 1960 [19] |
19 | Ivory Coast | 1960 [20] |
20 | Tunisia | 1960 [21] |
21 | Bulgaria | 22 February 1961 [22] |
22 | Vietnam | 13 April 1961 [23] |
23 | Mali | 23 November 1961 [24] [25] |
24 | Benin | 1961 [26] |
25 | Serbia | 1961 [27] |
26 | Canada | 12 June 1962 [28] |
27 | Denmark | 1 August 1962 [29] |
28 | Switzerland | 12 October 1962 [30] |
29 | Sweden | 1962 [31] |
30 | Uganda | 4 March 1963 [32] |
31 | South Korea | 1 April 1963 [33] |
32 | Algeria | August 1963 [34] |
33 | Indonesia | 6 September 1963 [35] |
34 | Burundi | 1963 [36] |
35 | Ethiopia | 1963 [37] |
36 | Nigeria | 1963 [38] |
37 | Tanzania | 30 May 1964 [39] |
38 | Zambia | 24 October 1964 [40] |
39 | Spain | 3 November 1964 [41] |
40 | Cameroon | 29 June 1965 [42] |
41 | Luxembourg | 7 September 1965 [43] |
42 | Republic of the Congo | 5 November 1965 [44] [45] |
43 | Central African Republic | February 1966 [46] |
44 | Rwanda | August 1966 [47] |
45 | Greece | 15 June 1966 [48] |
46 | Romania | 14 October 1966 [49] |
47 | Guinea | 1966 [50] |
48 | Kenya | 1966 [51] |
49 | Brazil | 21 June 1968 [52] |
50 | Morocco | 27 September 1968 [53] |
51 | Thailand | 14 February 1969 [54] |
52 | Chad | 2 April 1969 [55] |
53 | Libya | June 1969 [56] |
54 | Norway | 27 September 1969 [57] |
55 | Niger | 1969 [58] |
56 | Gabon | 28 January 1970 [59] |
57 | Finland | 3 April 1970 [60] |
58 | Togo | 14 July 1970 [61] |
59 | Chile | 31 March 1972 [62] |
60 | Mauritania | May 1972 [63] |
61 | Lebanon | June 1972 [64] |
62 | Austria | 24 July 1972 [65] |
63 | Argentina | 4 October 1972 [66] |
64 | Cambodia | 5 October 1972 [67] |
65 | China | 24 November 1972 [68] |
66 | North Korea | 12 December 1972 [69] |
67 | Somalia | 28 January 1973 [70] |
68 | Iran | 11 February 1973 [71] |
69 | Hungary | 16 June 1973 [72] |
70 | Saudi Arabia | 13 September 1973 [73] |
71 | Cuba | 11 April 1974 [74] |
72 | Guinea Bissau | 19 July 1974 [75] |
73 | Madagascar | 26 July 1974 [76] |
74 | Sierra Leone | 20 January 1975 [77] |
75 | Mongolia | 4 February 1975 [78] |
76 | Mexico | 31 July 1975 [79] |
77 | Peru | 3 August 1975 [80] |
78 | Turkey | 22 October 1975 [81] |
79 | Mauritius | 19 June 1976 [82] |
80 | Mozambique | 30 July 1976 [83] |
— | Holy See | 31 January 1977 [84] |
81 | Sri Lanka | 13 May 1978 [85] |
82 | Eswatini | June 1978 [86] |
83 | Angola | 29 July 1978 [87] |
84 | Oman | 1978 [88] |
85 | Seychelles | 1978 [89] |
86 | Ecuador | 29 February 1980 [90] |
87 | Bahrain | 3 June 1980 [91] |
88 | Lesotho | 6 November 1980 [92] |
89 | Malawi | November 1980 [93] [94] |
90 | Zimbabwe | 1980 [95] |
91 | Gambia | 7 January 1981 [96] |
92 | Singapore | 23 March 1984 [97] |
93 | Uruguay | 31 April 1984 [98] |
94 | San Marino | 14 May 1984 [99] |
— | Sovereign Military Order of Malta | 1984 [100] |
95 | Haiti | 1 October 1986 [101] |
96 | Nicaragua | 16 April 1987 [102] |
97 | Namibia | 4 October 1990 [103] |
98 | Kuwait | 27 November 1990 [104] |
99 | South Africa | 30 September 1992 [105] |
100 | Slovakia | 18 February 1993 [106] |
101 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 20 March 1995 [107] |
102 | Malaysia | 1997 [108] |
103 | Ukraine | 13 April 1999 [109] |
104 | North Macedonia | 27 September 1999 [110] |
105 | Philippines | 9 January 2000 [111] |
106 | Cyprus | 20 June 2000 [112] |
107 | Ireland | 2000 [113] |
108 | Jordan | 16 September 2002 [114] |
109 | Venezuela | 3 May 2005 [115] |
110 | Nepal | 22 September 2006 [116] |
111 | Iceland | 23 February 2007 [117] |
112 | Dominican Republic | 26 September 2007 [118] |
113 | Croatia | 19 October 2007 [119] |
114 | Montenegro | 22 September 2010 [120] |
115 | Belarus | 16 November 2010 [121] |
116 | Georgia | 14 January 2011 [122] |
117 | Latvia | 14 January 2011 [123] |
118 | Slovenia | 25 February 2011 [124] |
119 | Azerbaijan | 23 September 2011 [125] |
120 | Australia | 2011 [126] |
121 | South Sudan | 4 March 2013 [127] |
122 | Cape Verde | 14 May 2014 [128] |
123 | Armenia | 11 October 2015 [129] |
124 | United Arab Emirates | 1 November 2017 [130] |
125 | Estonia | 3 July 2018 [131] |
126 | Monaco | 5 July 2018 [132] |
127 | Qatar | 6 November 2019 [133] |
128 | Botswana | 9 February 2023 |
129 | Djibouti | 19 October 2023 [134] |
130 | Bangladesh | Unknown |
131 | Burkina Faso | Unknown |
132 | Comoros | Unknown |
133 | Equatorial Guinea | Unknown |
134 | Iraq | Unknown |
135 | Pakistan | Unknown |
136 | Senegal | Unknown |
137 | Trinidad and Tobago | Unknown |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Algeria | ||
Angola | 29 July 1978 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 July 1978 [87] See Angola–Democratic Republic of the Congo relations
|
Benin | 1961 | Both 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). [26] |
Burundi |
| |
Central African Republic |
| |
Chad | ||
Côte d'Ivoire |
| |
Egypt | 30 June 1960 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1960 [2]
|
Republic of the Congo | See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Republic of the Congo relations
| |
Kenya | See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Kenya relations
| |
Namibia | 4 October 1990 | See Democratic Republic of the Congo-Namibia relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 October 1990. [103]
|
Nigeria |
| |
Rwanda | Rwandan President Paul Kagame met with the Democratic Republic of the Congo's President Joseph Kabila in Goma on 6 August 2009. [135] It was the first presidential meeting between the two countries for 13 years, [136] 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. [135] The pair of presidents spent more than two hours in the company of each other and "reviewed all issues of common interest". [135] Kabila referred to it as "the first giant step forward" in what was referred to as an "all new era". [136] One month previous to the meeting both countries had appointed ambassadors to each other's capitals. [135] [136] In August 2013, Rwanda accused Congolese forces of persistently shelling Congo's territory after a flare-up of fighting in the eastern Congo. [137]
| |
Senegal |
| |
South Africa | 30 September 1992 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 September 1992 [105]
|
Tanzania | 30 May 1964 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 May 1964 when Andrew Tibandebage is appointed as Ambassador of Tanganyika to Congo (Leopoldville) [39]
|
Togo | 14 July 1970 | Both 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. [61] |
Uganda | 4 March 1963 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 March 1963 [32]
|
Zambia | 24 October 1964 | Both 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 [40]
|
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Argentina | 4 October 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 October 1972 [66]
|
Brazil | 21 June 1968 | See Brazil–Democratic Republic of the Congo relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 June 1968 [52]
|
Canada | 12 June 1962 | See Canada–Democratic Republic of the Congo relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 June 1962 [28] 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. [138] 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. [139] |
Cuba | 11 April 1974 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 April 1974 [74]
|
Mexico | 31 July 1975 | See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Mexico relations Both nations established diplomatic relations on 31 July 1975 [79]
|
United States | 30 June 1960 | See Democratic Republic of the Congo-United States relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1960 [10] The 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.
|
Uruguay | 31 April 1984 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 April 1984 [98] In 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. [143]
|
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Azerbaijan | 23 September 2011 | See Azerbaijan-Democratic Republic of the Congo relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 September 2011 [144] |
China | 24 November 1972 | See China-Democratic Republic of the Congo relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 November 1972 [68] China is a large investor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, primarily in the secondary (manufacturing) and primary (resource extraction) markets.
|
India | August 1960 | See Democratic Republic of the Congo–India relations Both countries established diplomatic relations in August 1960 when India had decided to open an embassy in Leopoldville (Kinshasa). [19] |
Israel |
| |
Japan | 30 June 1960 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1960 [7]
|
Lebanon |
| |
South Korea | 1 April 1963 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 April 1963 [33]
|
Turkey | 22 October 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 October 1975 [81] |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Belgium | 2 July 1960 | See Belgium–Democratic Republic of the Congo relations Both 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. [12] |
France | 30 June 1960 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1960 [3]
|
Germany | 30 June 1960 | See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Germany relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1960 [4]
|
Greece | 15 June 1966 | See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Greece relations Both 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. [48] 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. [150]
|
Italy | 21 July 1960 | See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Italy relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 July 1960 when accredited first Ambassador of Italy to Congo (Leopoldville) Mr. Pietro Franca [16]
|
Netherlands | 25 July 1960 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 July 1960 [17]
|
Norway | 27 September 1969 | See [[Democratic Republic of the Congo–Norway relatio ns]] Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 September 1969 [57]
|
Poland | 30 June 1960 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1960 [9]
|
Portugal | 7 July 1960 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 July 1960 [13]
|
Russia | 7 July 1960 | See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Russia relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 July 1960 [14]
|
Serbia | 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1961 [27]
|
Spain | 3 November 1964 | See Democratic Republic of the Congo–Spain relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 November 1964 [41]
|
Sweden | 1962 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1962 [31]
|
United Kingdom | 7 July 1960 | See Democratic Republic of the Congo–United Kingdom relations Both 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. [15]
|
Burkina Faso has good relations with the European Union, African and certain Asian countries.
Burundi's relations with its neighbours have often been affected by security concerns. During the Burundian Civil War, hundreds of thousands of Burundian refugees have at various times crossed to neighboring Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some Burundian rebel groups have used neighboring countries as bases for insurgent activities. The 1993 embargo placed on Burundi by regional states hurt diplomatic relations with its neighbors; relations have improved since the 1999 suspension of these sanctions.
President François Bozizé has said that one of his priorities is to get the support of the international community. This has indeed been visible in his relations to donor countries and international organisations. At the same time it is difficult to have an open policy towards neighbouring countries when they are used as safe haven by rebels regularly attacking Central African Republic (C.A.R.), or when one allied country is in war with another.
In November 1975, Comoros became the 143rd member of the United Nations. The new nation was defined as consisting of the entire archipelago, despite the fact that France maintains control over Mayotte.
The government's official policy is one of nonalignment. In its search for assistance to meet the goal of national reconstruction, the government of Equatorial Guinea has established diplomatic relations with numerous European and Third World countries. Having achieved independence under UN sponsorship, Equatorial Guinea feels a special kinship with that organization. It became the 126th UN member on November 12, 1968. Equatorial Guinea served as a non-permanent member on the United Nations Security Council from 2017 to 2019.
Gabon has followed a non-aligned policy, advocating dialogue in international affairs and recognizing both parts of divided countries. Since 1973, the number of countries establishing diplomatic relations with Gabon has doubled. In inter-African affairs, Gabon espouses development by evolution rather than revolution and favors regulated free enterprise as the system most likely to promote rapid economic growth. Concerned about stability in Central Africa and the potential for intervention, Gabon has been directly involved with mediation efforts in Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Angola, and former Zaire. In December 1999, through the mediation efforts of President Bongo, a peace accord was signed in the Republic of Congo between the government and most leaders of an armed rebellion. President Bongo has remained involved in the continuing Congolese peace process. Gabon has been a strong proponent of regional stability, and Gabonese armed forces played an important role in the UN Peacekeeping Mission to the Central African Republic (MINURCA).
The foreign relations of Guinea, including those with its West African neighbors, have improved steadily since 1985.
Following independence in 1960, Mali initially followed a socialist path and was aligned ideologically with the communist bloc. Mali's foreign policy orientation became increasingly pragmatic and pro-Western over time. Since the institution of a democratic form of government in 1992, Mali's relations with the West in general and the United States in particular have improved significantly. U.S.-Malian relations are described by the U.S. Department of State as "excellent and expanding," especially given Mali's recent record of democratic stability in the volatile area of West Africa and its avowed support of the war on terrorism. Mali is reported to be one of the largest recipients of U.S. aid in Africa.
Niger pursues a moderate foreign policy and maintains friendly relations with both East and West. It is a member state of the United Nations. Niger maintains a special relationship with France and enjoys close relations with its West African neighbours.
For the two decades preceding the Republic of the Congo's 1991 National Conference, the country was firmly in the socialist camp, allied principally with the Soviet Union and other Eastern bloc nations. Educational, economic, and foreign aid links between Congo and its Eastern bloc allies were extensive, with the Congolese military and security forces receiving significant Soviet, East German, and Cuban assistance.
Rwanda has diplomatic relations with most members of the United Nations and with the Holy See.
Tanzania's first president, Julius Nyerere also was one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and, during the Cold War era, Tanzania played an important role in regional and international organisations, such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the front-line states, the G-77, and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). One of Africa's best-known elder statesmen, Nyerere was personally active in many of these organisations, and served chairman of the OAU (1984–85) and chairman of six front-line states concerned with eliminating apartheid in Southern Africa. Nyerere was also involved with peace negotiations in Burundi until his death. Nyerere's death, on 14 October 1999, is still commemorated annually.
Although Togo's foreign policy is nonaligned, it has strong historical and cultural ties with western Europe, especially France and Germany. Togo is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, exchanging high commissioners with other Commonwealth countries. It recognizes the People's Republic of China, North Korea, and Cuba, and re-established relations with Israel in 1987.
The Principality of Monaco is a sovereign and independent state, linked closely to France by the Treaty of July 1918, which was formally noted in Article 436 of the Treaty of Versailles of 1919. The foreign policy of Monaco is one illustration of this accord: France has agreed to defend the independence and sovereignty of Monaco, while the Monegasque Government has agreed to exercise its sovereign rights in conformity with French interests, whilst at the same time maintaining complete independence. Since then, the relations between the sovereign states of France and Monaco have been further defined in the Treaty of 1945 and the Agreement of 1963.
Foreign relations of Djibouti are managed by the Djiboutian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Djibouti maintains close ties with the governments of Somalia, Ethiopia, France and the United States. It is likewise an active participant in African Union, United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and Arab League affairs.
Independence once declared on 30 June, an embassy was established with Mr. Ehud Avriel as the first Ambassador.
23 novembre ... - M. Alioune Diakite, ambassadeur du Mali, présente ses lettres de créan- ces au Président Kasa - Vubu.
23 novembre ... Alioune Diakite, ambassadeur du Mali, présente ses lettres de créance au président Kasa - Vubu .
Congo ( Léopoldville ) : Ambassadeur : M. Gilles Bimazubute
Arrivée à Léopoldville du premier ambassadeur d'Ethiopie, le major-général Jacob Guebre Lioul
... Le 5 novembre, un communiqué des ministres des Affaires étrangères, réunis à Brazzaville, annonce que les deux pays ont décidé l'établissement de relations diplomatiques au niveau d'ambassade.
Des relations diplomatiques vont être établies avec Léopoldville
CONGO-KINSHASA ... Premier Ambassadeur au Niger, résidant à Abidjan : M. Théodore Kondo Belan
XV. Kongo Kinshasa ( ex Leopoldville ) ÖB - errichtet durch MR - Beschluss vom 24. Juli 1972 ...
Cambodia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo agreed to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level on October 5
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(help)25-28 janvier. — Séjour officiel en Somalie du président zairois Mobutu Sese Seko. Les deux chefs d'Etat décident d'établir des relations diplomatiques au niveau des ambassades ...
Swaziland ... when the Zaire ambassador, Bande Larity, presented his credentials in June 1978 ...