The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced its intention to demand an explanation from Uganda, following Uganda’s decision to reopen border crossings connecting it to areas controlled by the M23 rebel group.
This week, Uganda reopened the Bunagana and Ishasha border points, following a directive issued by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Kampala said the move was aimed at reviving cross-border trade, which has been in decline since June 2022, when the borders were closed due to the M23 conflict.
Following a Cabinet meeting on Friday, DRC Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya stated that Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner had been tasked with seeking official clarification from Uganda on why it chose to reopen the border without the presence of any Congolese government representative.
Uganda, on its side, explained that the closure of the Bunagana border was costing the country about 500 million Ugandan shillings annually, a significant economic loss that contributed to its decision to reopen the border crossings.
