Heavy rain south of the Copperbelt border between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has washed away a road crucial for supply chain between the two countries, adding more waiting time for cross-border transporters.
Mike Fitzmaurice of the Transit Assistance Bureau said the road between Chingola and Chililabombwe had been badly damaged in the weekend’s flash flood and that northbound truckers could re-declare precleared cargo at alternative borders.
Zambian authorities have since said that a diversionary road will be built within the next 48 hours, but that the Mokambo and Sakania transits can also be used.
Deviating from the primary route into the DRC, however, means waiting longer to change the cargo specifications of freight meant for Kasumbalesa, the border crossing north of Chililabombwe.
