Zambia, Congo commit to resolving traffic challenges at border

LUSAKA, Zambia

Zambia and Congo committed Saturday to resolve challenges surrounding the hauling of goods through the borders between the two countries, according to a statement.

The move followed a meeting on the sidelines of the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Ethiopia between Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema and his Congolese counterpart, Felix Tshisekedi Tshilombo.

"Our meeting was centered around resolving the challenges at the Kasumbalesa Border Post. We have agreed with my brother and counterpart that we quickly improve operations at the border in order to accelerate the conveyance of goods between our two countries without losing much time," Hichilema said on Facebook.

The meeting came in an aftermath of the marooning of more than 2000 trucks at Kasumbalesa last weekend that was attributed to a “logistical crisis.”

Hichilema visited the border Thursday and pledged to engage Tshisekedi because the situation was “unacceptable.”

"We are delighted with his (Tshisekedi's) assurance that now is time for action and not just mere talk and that he will engage his team to go and address the issue once and for all," said Hichilema.

The two leaders agreed that the two countries were determined to enhance trade and that of the rest of the region.