By ADRIAN MWANZA
GOVERNMENT should expedite the talks with their Congolese counterparts to avoid full blown tensions between the two countries, former Defence Minister George Mpombo has said.
Dr Mpombo said in an interview that he was aware of that challenge even the time he was minister and that Zambia’s neighbours were always causing problems.
Dr Mpombo explained how some individuals from the DRC had antagonistic tendencies and did not appreciate what Zambia had done for them.
He called on Government to be very careful when handling the matter and that this problem had been around for quite some time.
Dr Mpombo said Zambian citizens were living in fear because they were constantly being harassed by soldiers from the DRC because of border disputes.
“I want to urge the Minister of Defence, Mr Ambrose Lufuma to ensure that he deals with this matter as soon as possible because if left unchecked it would escalate into something else like a border row,” he said.
He said that the Tuta Bridge was built due to the problems along the Pedicle Road and that it is important that Zambians live in peace.
“We have done a lot for our colleagues like taking in refugees but the way they are handling the land issue leaves much to be desired,” Dr Mpombo said.
Yesterday, Mr Lufuma indicated that he would meet with his Congolese counterpart to discuss the growing border tension between the two countries.
He said the meeting was supposed to be held this year but Covid-19 had hindered the whole process and that they would do it the first quarter of next year.
