English
FrançaisComplaint
- Complaint number
- NTB-000-605
- NTB Type
- 8.8. Issues related to transit
- Complaint
-
This complaint is registered by FESARTA.
The unstable situation at the Kasumbalesa border post between Zambia and the DRC, is causing serious delays on the North-South corridor.
Over the past 6 months, lawlessness on the DRC side of the border, is leading to drivers foreign to DRC being harassed and, on some occasions, being attacked. Police have been unnecessarily harassing drivers for speeding, unroadworthy vehicles and incorrect documentation. The lack of security has resulted in two drivers being shot and wounded; the latest being Patrick Murifi, 31, a Zimbabwean truck driver.
This has caused drivers preparing to enter DRC from the South, to become agitated and, on two occasions, go on strike and effectively close the border to heavy vehicle traffic.
Copperbelt Police chief Joyce Kasosa has confirmed in an interview recently, that calm has been restored but trucks are still not crossing into and from DRC because the drivers want to be addressed and assured of their security while in that country.
It is clear that the situation is volatile and likely to erupt into violence at any time, for the slightest reason.
This situation is not conducive to intra-regional trade and unacceptable to the road transport industry.
A deputation from DRC yesterday to the drivers on the Zambian side, has convinced the drivers to start moving again.
However, the drivers have warned that if there should be further occurrences of the problem, they will blockade the border for 3 weeks.
SADC and COMESA are requested to intervene and call on the government of the Katanga province to take control of the situation and provide a stable environment conducive to intra-regional trade. - Status note
- During the 5th Meeting of the COMESA NTBs Focal Points held in Nairobi from 23-25 August 2016, DRC reported that the matter had been resolved following consultations with COMESA Secretariat and other interested parties .
- Progress update note
- Awaiting initial response from Focal Points, SADC and COMESA secretariats
- Policy or regulatory NTB
- No
- Location
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: Kasumbalesa (Border post)
- Reporting Country or Region
- COMESA
- Country specific trade issue
- No
- Date of incident
- 2013-10-03
- Status
- Resolved
- Date of resolution
- 2016-08-24
- Product Description
-
All products
- Total value
- 0
- Date reported
- 2013-10-04 11:57
- Modified
- 2016-08-24 23:24
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