No Tension Between Zambia And DRC, Says Malanji

Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji has said there is no tension between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, after international media outlets reported that DRC officials had approached Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to mediate on the country’s longstanding border dispute with Zambia. 

However, Mr Malangi did admit that the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) organ on politics, defence and security cooperation had been contracted to mediate a portion of the Zambia/DRC border in Kaputa District, Northern Province. President Mnangagwa is the chair of this SADC organ. 

Mr Malanji told reporters that Zambia and the DRC had entered into talks to resolve the disputed border, emphasising that the two countries had enjoyed cordial relations for a number of years. 

He further emphasised that Zambia had hosted many refugees from the DRC over the years. 

This follows reports that DRC special envoy Marie Nzeza met with President Mnangagwa in Harare on Monday to brief him on the border situation.

Zimbabwe has been mandated by the SADC to maintain peace, security and the rule of law within the region.

President Mnangagwa addressed the media following the meeting, saying that the DRC were particularly concerned with the border in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He added that there was also a “security situation” for which the DRC and Zambia had requested the help of the SADC.

The DRC and Zambia have endured longstanding disagreements over their shared border, the latest of which was resolved in 1989 and concluded with beacons being placed along the 1,600km long frontier. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji