President Ramaphosa Arrives In DRC; Signs Nearly 40 Trade Agreements

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday on a two-day official visit. During the visit, Ramaphosa met his counterpart, Felix Tshisekedi, and signed nearly 40 trade agreements with DRC.

President Ramaphosa arrived in Kinshasa, the capital of DRC, to co-chair the Heads of State and Government segment of the 12th Session of DRC–South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC).

According to the statement issued by SA News, this working visit provided an opportunity for President Ramaphosa and his counterpart to discuss political and economic bilateral issues alongside regional, continental, and international matters of mutual concern.

The official Twitter handle of the South African Presidency shared a video on Thursday, showing President Tshisekedi receiving Ramaphosa ahead of the event:

Following the arrival, both leaders signed nearly 40 trade agreements, including a hydroelectric scheme. Whereas the 38 agreements are about agriculture, defense, energy, health, trade, and investment.

President Ramaphosa also addressed the ongoing conflict in DRC and said, "Is a conflict that's being processed and addressed by our regional organizations as well as by the African Union and SADC are involved as well as the East Africa community and all those processes like dialogue, negotiation and conflict resolution it involves people appointed and chosen in those dialogues." SabcNews reported.

Considering the ongoing conflict in DRC, it has been going on for many decades, involving multiple armed groups. The eastern part of the DRC including North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri has been hotspot areas as domestic and foreign armed groups are involved in these regions.

After many decades of struggle, to bring stability and peace to the country, DRC sought international interventions. Talking about the current situation in the country, there are more than five million internally displaced people, who require medical and other aid of two billion dollars.

South Africa has been advocating peace in DRC since the country got independence in 1960.

The country played a significant role in bringing peace within DRC through its involvement in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Furthermore, both nations share economic ties as South African companies have invested in various DRC's sectors including mining and telecommunications.

President Ramaphosa assured his counterpart in DRC that South Africa wants peace in the country and the country is committed to solving conflicts through dialogue and negotiation ahead of upcoming elections.