Sri Lankan strengthens ties with Congo in high-level talks

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Kenya, Kana Kananathan, who is also accredited to Congo, engaged in high-level discussions with key officials in Kinshasa yesterday. The meetings aimed to bolster the multifaceted relationship between Sri Lanka and Congo, covering a wide range of topics from economic diplomacy to defense cooperation.

Ambassador Kananathan held talks with Congo's Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and Chief of Defense Staff General Christian Tshiwewe Songesha. 

The discussions addressed several critical areas, including economic diplomacy, trade relations, investment flows, and renewable energy cooperation.

Kananathan highlighted the burgeoning interest of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in East Africa’s renewable energy sector, specifically noting the potential in Congo’s mini-hydro projects due to its abundant river resources. He pointed out that Sri Lankan conglomerate LOLC has already made inroads into Congo’s banking and microfinance sectors, underscoring the growing economic engagement between the two nations.

Foreign Minister Wagner expressed her enthusiasm for the deepening partnership, praising Kananathan for his proactive approach. She assured that the Congolese government is committed to supporting Sri Lankan business ventures and emphasized the importance of robust, comprehensive cooperation across various sectors.

Both officials agreed on the value of mutual support in international forums, underscoring their shared interests. “Our exchange of regional and global assessments is always valuable,” Minister Wagner commented.

The discussions with General Tshiwewe shifted to the realm of defense cooperation. 

The General noted the potential benefits Congo could gain from Sri Lanka’s extensive experience in comprehensive defense strategies. Kananathan highlighted Sri Lanka’s successful counter-terrorism efforts and proposed the possibility of joint training programs and knowledge exchange to enhance Congo’s defense capabilities.