President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo met with Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso in Brazzaville on Oct. 3 to ease tensions following a border incident involving forces from the two countries.
The meeting focused on the confrontation near Makotipoko, a town in Congo (Brazzaville) near Yumbi in the DRC’s Maï-Ndombe province. The incident occurred overnight on Aug. 26-27 and involved the Republic of the Congo’s navy and gendarmerie and a DRC naval patrol. Local reports said the confrontation resulted in deaths and injuries, but the authorities have not released a final casualty figure.
Tshisekedi expressed his “deep regrets” over the incident and said the DRC would meet with the victims and initiate a procedure to compensate them after the two countries’ delegations complete their work. He did not specify an amount or the number of people who could receive compensation.
Two members of the Republic of the Congo’s forces who were detained after the incident were later returned to their country. The DRC government opened an investigation to establish the circumstances of the confrontation and, if necessary, determine responsibility.
Tshisekedi traveled to Brazzaville with Vice Prime Minister and Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo and Vice Prime Minister and Defense Minister Guy Kabombo Mwadiamvita. He said the two officials would work with their counterparts to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The meeting was the latest in regular consultations between Kinshasa and Brazzaville. The two governments have used diplomatic and security channels to address the incident and have emphasized dialogue and cooperation along their shared border.
