Tanzania, DRC Call for Withdrawal of Foreign Forces as Tshisekedi, Samia Deepen Security, Economic Ties

Overview

Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo have ended a two-day meeting with a public call for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Congolese territory and a pledge to strengthen cooperation across security and economic fronts. The talks, which concluded on Tuesday, August 18, in Zanzibar, brought together Presidents Samia Suluhu Hassan and Félix Tshisekedi for private and bilateral discussions. The two leaders described the talks as opening "a new chapter in the strategic partnership" between their nations.

Security Commitments in Focus

The joint communiqué issued after the talks reaffirmed both presidents' support for the "sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity" of the DRC. They called for the implementation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, including "the cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of foreign forces from Congolese territory."

This call carries weight given the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC. According to reports, Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Rwanda of deploying troops and supporting M23 rebels in the region, accusations that Rwanda has rejected. The language of the communiqué was carefully chosen, as ChimpReports described it, noting that the call for withdrawal of foreign forces was emphasized in the lead and title.

The two presidents also expressed support for African Union-led initiatives and the Washington and Doha peace processes, urging their "coherent, coordinated and timely implementation." They additionally called for the disarmament and dissolution of the FDLR and other armed groups.

Tanzanian troops have been part of a Southern African mission deployed to the DRC. ChimpReports noted that Tanzanian soldiers, along with forces from South Africa and Malawi, served under under the SAMIDRC group, and that the mission suffered casualties before SADC withdrew its troops. This history illustrates the depth of Tanzania's security engagement Kinshasa.

Economic Partnership: From Minerals to Transport

Beyond security, the leaders committed to a broad economic partnership. Two of the reports from the EastAfrican emphasized trade and infrastructure as core themes, while also covering the minerals partnership.

According to the reports, the two countries agreed to establish a Strategic Partnership on Minerals, focusing on critical minerals, geological data, mineral processing, value addition, and responsible investment. Officials were directed to prepare a memorandum of understanding to outline priority actions. The DRC also expressed interest in joining the African Minerals and Geosciences Centre, which is based in Dar es Salaam.

Infrastructure was a significant area of agreement. Both leaders committed to improving the Central Corridor, with specific projects including developing ports in Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, and Kalemie, enhancing lake transport, and gradually interconnecting railway networks. The reports also detailed efforts to simplify border procedures and remove trade obstacles. The two nations plan to revive the Joint Permanent Commission as the main bilateral framework and hold annual ministerial meetings to tackle barriers to commerce.

Energy cooperation was also on the agenda. The communiqué added that both sides would explore synergies with the EACOP and TAZAMA pipelines where feasible, and identified oil and gas exploration, transport, storage, and infrastructure as opportunities. They welcomed progress on a new frontier featuring fibre-optic connection between Kigoma and Kalemie.

Agriculture, livestock, and fisheries were noted in the reports as areas of potential investment. Samia highlighted these opportunities for Tanzanian stakeholders, while the two countries also identified a broader list of priority sectors, including mineral, energy, transport, logistics, technology, finance, and tourism.

Regional Integration Outlets

The commitment extends to regional integration through the East African Community (EAC), with the presidents expressing ambition to structure their partnership in that context. The two countries also discussed reviving the Joint Permanent Commission, which is expected to serve as a monitoring mechanism for various initiatives.

Solidarity on Health and Future Engagements

During the meeting, Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed Tanzania's solidarity with the Congolese people following the Ebola outbreak, reporting readiness to provide appropriate assistance. Tshisekedi acknowledged that the DRC faces its seventeenth Ebola outbreak and claimed "globally recognised experience" in controlling the disease. He was quoted as saying, "We now have globally recognised experience in controlling and responding to this disease, and we will succeed."

As a final note, Tshisekedi invited Samia for an official visit to the DRC at a mutually convenient date, and she accepted the invitation.

Perspectives

• Tanzania and DRC leadership: The presidents held a joint stance that the withdrawal of foreign forces is necessary and that economic cooperation should be strengthened across infrastructures, minerals, and trade.
• Kinshasa's government: According to the reports, Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of involvementiz, specifically deploying troops and backing M23 rebels in the mineral-rich east.
• Rwanda's position is that it rejects accusations that it is responsible for the conflict in Congo, though this claim is attributed solely to ChimpReports.