The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has approached Zimbabwean President Mnangagwa to mediate in its long-standing border dispute with Zambia in his capacity as Chairman of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
DRC and Zambia have had misunderstandings over one part of their common 1 600km border, the latest arising from a late 1980s attempt to demarcate the frontier with beacons.
There was a treaty which was signed in 1989 by the then Presidents Kenneth Kaunda and Mobutu Sese Seko where there were beacons put along the border.
Zimbabwe was mandated by SADC to ensure the maintenance of peace, security and rule of law within the region.
DRC special envoy Marie Nzeza on Monday met President Mnangagwa at State House to brief him on the situation.
Defense and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Moyo, Commander Defence Forces Phillip Valerio Sibanda and other senior Government officials attended the meeting.
Addressing the media after the meeting, President Mnangagwa said both countries were seeking SADC’s intervention.
“A special envoy from my brother Tshisekedi of the DRC briefed me on the situation in DRC, in particular in relation to the current Covid-19 pandemic and how they are tackling it. There is also the security situation where DRC and Zambia want the organ on Defence and Politics to look at a small matter which is existing between the Republic of Zambia and DRC,” President Mnangagwa said.
The DRC envoy, who is the country’s Foreign Affairs minister, refused to shed finer details on the matter, saying she was not at liberty to share what was discussed.
Minister Moyo explained dynamics informing the special envoy’s visit.
“Zambia and DRC have got a borderline which is 1, 600 kilometers long and as a result of that, it has had some different forms of misinterpretation of where Zambia was and ends. There was a treaty which was signed in 1989 by the then Presidents Kenneth Kaunda and Mobutu Sese Seko where there were beacons put along the border.
‘‘There was a conflict at one of the border areas and they have decided to approach the organ on Defence and Security so that this can be resolved peacefully in the spirit of SADC,” Minister Moyo said.
Under a strict and founding African Union policy, colonial frontiers remain in place unless otherwise agreed without dissent.
The occasional border disputes, such as between Nigeria and Cameroon and between Botswana and Namibia, have all arisen because of ambiguities or incomplete information in a colonial treaty.
Gone are the days when we had leaders in Zambia …today we have this charlatan in State House unable and incapable of doing anything right.
Which part of the DRC-Zambia border is under dispute? Never heard of this before! Sounds like someone looking to create trouble and conflict where it does not exist! Both countries have much higher priorities to be focusing on than this non-problem!
ahmmmn, worrisome! now can’t you tell us which land in particular! there are so many areas. Is it the Pedicle strip? or the Chisenda border & Kibushi. where? please. we can’t afford to go to war with the Congolese. they are our brothers & sisters.
We are not surprised the comment from tarino. This chap ain’t and will never be zambian. Wouldn’t be surprised if he is a pigmy from ituri rain forest. Anyway I cannot comment on this issue as it is sensitive in nature and borders on national security. Please let us not comment on things you have no idea or info about. This is a serious matter. Kz
What can be so hard about resolving this border issue? Zimbabwe will certainly favour DRC as they both enjoy a good business relationship.
DRC has been buying maize from Zimbabwe, mealie meal in Zimbabwe is way cheaper than in Zambia despite having a very high inflation rate.
Zambia should just forget about that piece of land.
The only party that can save Zambia is upnd under a bantu botatwe leader
This is hopeless reporting, LT. You can’t do some legwork to find out exactly which stretch or piece of border and do an illustratory sketch so that readers are fully informed?
Poorly written story as usual. Leaves the reader wondering where where where?
“DRC special envoy Marie Nzeza on Monday met President Mnangagwa at State House to brief him on the situation”. YOUR REPORT READS.
What were the DRC people doing at Zimbabwe State House without Zambians present? What were they discussing?
Corruption knows no boundary.
As usual copy and past, u don’t know how to use publicly available information than just posting what someone reported, u need to know how to add salt.
@ Tarino Gay YOU ARE SICK IN THE HEAD, YOU NEVER HAVE ANYTHING WORTH SAYING JUST SHUT UP.
LT YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE A BIT IF HOME WORK BEFORE REPORTING LIKE ENQUIRING FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS WHO DEFINITELY KNOW WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.
ATI THE ONLY PARTY WHICH CAN SOLVE THIS IS UPND,THIS IS WHAT I CALL ORGANISED MADNESS,A LEADER WHO HAS NO ANY GOVERNANCE EXPERIENCE AT ANY LEVEL OF GOVERNANCE CANT DO IT
Northern Zambia Bena Luapula and all of our brothers and sisters kulya are part Katangese. DRC want their citizens.
This stretch is in Chienge Zambian side and Mpweto DRC, there’s a very rich copper deposit up there and I can assure DRC will not let go that stretch!!!
Ba Zaire osasamwa. We will just draw a ka line from lake mweru to the tip of Northwestern province and claim back what was originally ours. The British were also very sheepish in allowing Zaire to deep that much into Zambia. All in the name of a gift to the Belgian king! Where in the world to find a country with a horn that goes into another country?
Lets fight!
There is a rumour that some Congolese nationals were bombed using ZAF drones on some islands on Lake Mweru ? which the arrogant Congolese had occupied by force, Some Kongoles died while the rest scampered and retreated into DRC … ZAF and ZA are now in occupation. We need to grad the pedicle—its ours kikiki
You have data, there was a ka min war 4 months ago. The id.i.o.ts thought they can have it that easy, they where white washed scampered in their poverty stricken country and now they are asking for help from Zimbabwe. I praise Lungu for this one and for protecting our soil. That,s the period you saw military drills in Mbala and Mpulungu. Congo has enough land than what they need, all they don’t have is leadership like the rest of all Africans states, but its worse in Congo
These are sensintive issues like KZ has pointed out. They call for discretion as they are handled by appointed government officials on both sides in order to reach an agreement. It is rather irresponsible to publish such articles on social media while both countries are in dialogue. The last thing you want to read regarding such matters of high state protocol are childish comments like: “let’s fight”
Why didn’t they go to Tanzania because by going to Zimbabwe they’re requesting a Zambian to intervene in a matter they have against Zambia.
Congo has almost the whole continent of Africa to themselves compared to us Zambia why they want to raise an issue on a small area like frontier iam very supprised
Zambia should stand firm. If I had my way I would confiscate that strip of Land. Zambia is probably the only country in the world where you have to cross the boarder of another country just to get to the other side of your own country. Look at the size of DRC, have they no shame?
It is a surprise. Why can not the majority African countries live in peace with neighbors? African countries are supposed to concentrate on fighting poverty rather than petty issues or unfounded truth. God helps us when our peace is threatened.
It is a surprise. Why can not the majority African countries live in peace with neighbors? African countries are supposed to concentrate on fighting poverty rather than petty issues or unfounded truth. God helps us when our peace is threatened.
People like KZ should simply shut the ass up, I’m with you Tarino
Reporter, can you imagine how much border with have with DRC?
You had better not written.
Explain which part is under contention. You write like piece of $#!+. Damn it! Go to school punkß.
My guess is that strip as you are going to Kaputa after Kasaba Bay.
Tshisekedi Felix should update himself with commission that was formed by Super Ken and late Mobutu. If they insist on being reasonable, it shall be nasty in the so near future. Our grand shall take upon themselves take up pedicle stretch. Its something I find strange.
We want the land that Kaunda gave away to Congo, giving like its his own piece of Land, our villages and our people that were turned into Congolease without referendum for those people to decide their belonging. No parliament ratified the giving away of that land ” the Luchinda enclave, Pweto …….chiengi axis” must be returned without question. No elected president can give away our land like its his own property. The work which the Chiluba govt started n Mwanawasa to reclaim our land must continue .
The more our govts fail to resolve this issue, the more they keep the puss in the wound, us the younger generation will sort it by whatever means possible when we come to power . We know about this issue. Zambia must not cede any inch of land to any Country. We need our land back.
Katanga and Zambia should just merge. Roy Welensky tried to get that land for us..