President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo arrived in Zanzibar on Monday for a two-day working visit to Tanzania at the invitation of his counterpart, Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Talks will focus on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing security issues in the Great Lakes region.
Upon his arrival at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, the Congolese head of state was received by Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Said J. Mshana, Tanzania’s ambassador to the DRC, alongside several senior government officials.
Talks between Félix Tshisekedi and Samia Suluhu Hassan are set to cover several key sectors of mutual interest, including trade, investment, agriculture, food security, mineral resources, energy, transport, and infrastructure.
Health and digital connectivity are also expected to feature on the agenda, reflecting the shared commitment of Kinshasa and Dodoma to diversify and deepen their economic partnership.
Security matters will hold a prominent place in the talks, with both leaders scheduled to address the situation in eastern DRC and regional efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability across the Great Lakes region.
The DRC and Tanzania share historical relations reinforced by geographical proximity and joint membership in the East African Community (EAC). Both nations continue to expand strategic cooperation in trade, transit, and infrastructure.
Tanzania serves as a crucial gateway to the Indian Ocean for the landlocked DRC via the Dar es Salaam corridor, a critical route for transporting Congolese goods and mineral exports.
On the security front, Kinshasa and Dodoma are active participants in regional frameworks dedicated to stabilising eastern DRC, where violence driven by armed groups remains persistent.
Félix Tshisekedi’s visit will allow both sides to evaluate the implementation of existing bilateral agreements and explore new avenues of cooperation to consolidate their strategic and economic partnership.
TE/Sf/lb/as/APA