ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT TO MEET DRC OFFICIALS OVER MAROONED TRUCKS

By: TNI Media Team

Hundreds of trucks have been marooned at the Kasumbalesa Border awaiting crossing into the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Zambia Revenue Authority has revealed that most of the trucks have already been cleared and are pending entry into the DRC.

Chililabombwe District Commissioner Precious Njekwa visited the border to check on the situation, which has worsened over a few weeks of stagnation of trucks.

The Zambian officials are hopeful to meet the DRC officials in order to come up with a lasting solution to the challenge at hand. 

The Kasumbalesa border situation between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia has experienced challenges in the past. 

In 2022, international truck drivers started a strike, blocking the movement of trucks into the DRC due to insecurity and harassment of drivers. 

The strike was resolved, and trucks began crossing the border again, with the DRC government assuring Zambia that vehicles would be deployed for 24-hour patrols.

However, in August 2022, multiple border crossing points, including Kasumbalesa, were closed by Zambian officials after the DRC banned some imports from Zambia. The closure was temporary, and the borders were reopened after negotiations between the two countries.

In June 2022, Zambia and the DRC agreed to implement 24-hour border operations at Kasumbalesa and other border points to reduce congestion and improve trade. The agreement aimed to clear a minimum of 800 trucks per day.