Kinshasa The Congolese government, through the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGDA), has taken a controversial measure by imposing import taxes on goods and services coming from territories controlled by the Alliance of Coalition Forces/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23). This decision effectively considers these areas, at least from a customs perspective, as being outside the national territory.
According to the official notice issued by the DGDA, any product entering the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from these zones will be subject to the same procedures and customs duties as goods imported from a foreign country. This measure raises questions about the implicit recognition of a customs border between the DRC and the AFC/M23-controlled territories.
The stated objective of the Congolese authorities is to exert economic pressure on these territories and discourage trade flows with the armed groups occupying them. However, this policy also risks affecting local populations who depend on these exchanges for their survival.
For several months, the security situation in the east of the country has remained concerning, with escalating clashes between government forces and AFC/M23 movement. This decision by Kinshasa is therefore part of a broader political and economic confrontation aimed at isolating these movement groups.
Experts believe that this new taxation could worsen the humanitarian situation by limiting the supply of essential goods in these areas and increasing the cost of living for local populations. Furthermore, this measure could weaken merchants and entrepreneurs operating in these territories.
The implementation of this new regulation is already generating mixed reactions. Some observers see it as a government strategy to economically weaken the movement. Others, however, fear an escalation of tensions and a negative impact on the inhabitants of these regions.
The question remains open as to the feasibility and effectiveness of this measure in a context where the DRC is still struggling to reassert its authority over the entire territory. Discussions between the government and its international partners may be necessary to find a balance between security imperatives and humanitarian needs.
