FAILURE TO OPERATIONALIZE KASUMBALESA BORDER POST WITH DRC ON A 24HRS BASIS DUE TO SECURITY CONCERNS THE CONGO SIDE
By Michael Kaluba
Government has attributed the failure to operationalize the Kasumbalesa border post with neighboring democratic republic of Congo -DRC- on a 24 hours basis, to security concerns on the Congo side of the crossing point.
Transport and logistics Minister Frank Tayali says while the Zambian side is ready to operate on a 24 hours basis, the security situation on the Congo side leaves operators unwilling to risk their trucks crossing into that country at night due to serious threats to themselves and their cargo.
Mr. Tayali tells Phoenix News that truck drivers are able to cross from the DRC into Zambia at night because the security of their cargo and property is guaranteed but that the same is not true for Zambia’s neighbor across the border where security is a serious concern.
He adds that part of the lasting solutions to perennial challenges at Kasumbalesa border post include ongoing putting up of infrastructure on the Congolese side to guarantee the safety of drivers and their trucks within truck parks, even as the two countries work on modalities to make the border point a 24 hours entry and exit point.
Zambia’s border with neighboring DRC has perennial challenges some of which have resulted in hundreds of trucks marooned over a stretch estimated at around 70 kilometers from Chambishi to the border over the past four months.
PHOENIX NEWS
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