A cross-border trade dispute between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is playing havoc with road freight serving the Copperbelt, with some long-distance operators reporting that cargo movement is at a complete standstill.
This morning, August 12, a member on the Transit Assistance Bureau (Transist) said: “Zambia has closed the border.”
Apparently, all through border crossings between Zambia’s Copperbelt Province and the DRC’s Haut Katanga region have been affected – Sakania, Mokambo and the main north-south line transit of Kazungula.
“The real story seems to be that there is a trade dispute between the two countries, which resulted in the Zambians taking this action late last week,” a Transist member said.
“Zambia Revenue Authority is saying it’s due to protests in the DRC.”
It is believed though that this is untrue as Mike Fitzmaurice, who heads up the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations, said: “From what I have heard, the situation on the DRC seems to be calm.”
The Transist member said: “Basically, no trucks are entering the DRC from Zambia, and even at Kazungula there is no entry into Zambia if you are carrying transit cargo for the DRC.
“We've heard there is to be a meeting between the two governments, but nothing definite.”
Even empty tankers are not exiting at the moment, another Transist member said.
On Sunday, ZRA said it “would like to inform its stakeholders and the general public that there is currently a steady build-up of traffic at Kasumbalesa, Mokambo and Sakania Border Posts due to protests by border logistics facilitators on the DRC side of the borders”.
ZRA confirmed that trade had been adversely affected, adding that it was committed to seeking a “speedy resolution”.
