Zambia, DRC frequent consultations critical
By Pelekelo Liswaniso
ZAMBIA and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are neighbours who share one of the longest common borders in Africa and enjoy harmony despite the diversity of culture of the two peoples.
In fact, for a long time, even prior to independence, the two countries have co-existed as a family and have shared both difficult and happier times together.
It is due to this bond of cooperation that the successive governments in the two countries have over the years and in different ways tried to bring the people of the two countries much closer to each other.
Apart from the high-level bilateral visits by leaders in the two countries, the general population at different levels has also expressed the desire to live as one people, hence, the criss-crossing at border areas by both Zambian and Congolese nationals.
Some townships on the copperbelt are even popularly known as “little Congolese towns” because of the high population of the Congolese nationals living there and we are convinced that deep inside the DRC, some Zambians are obviously also at home there. This is how it should be - the true spirit of pan-Africanism.
We are therefore cheered by the current visit of the DRC interior and culture minister, Jean Marie Dikanga Kazadi, who said in Ndola on Wednesday that there was need for the two countries to meet regularly to discuss matters of common interest.
We agree that Zambia and the DRC should often meet as a family to discuss issues that concern both countries to enhance peace and cooperation.
Issues that immediately come to our mind include the current voluntary repatriation of Congolese refugees to their home country and the modernisarion of the Chembe border post.
We are aware that plans are underway to redesign and turn Chembe border in Mansa district into a modern town to prepare the area for an anticipated increase in the number of business activities since the commissioning of the Levy Mwanawasa Bridge.
Mansa district council Town Clerk Bwanga Kapumpa recently disclosed that the authority would use the K150 million Integrated Development Plan (IDP) funding from government to turn Chembe into a modern border town. How far have these plans gone? It will obviously be in the interest of both countries to know if there is progress.
The tarring of the Pedicle Road is also still outstanding and is one of the many issues that can boost development in the two countries, if it was concluded quickly.
We are also anxious to know if the repatriation of the Congolese in Zambian refugee camps is on course because there were reports that some of them were reluctant to go back home.
Such programmes and many others affecting the two countries call for dialogue so that there is harmonization in the implementation process.
It is commendable therefore that Mr Kazadi is in the country because the presence of the minister in the DRC delegation is an indication of the value the government of President Joseph Kabila attaches to the cooperation between the DRC and Zambia.
We hope the consultative talks will address pertinent security issues affecting the two countries and provide the platform for consensus to deal with other matters agreed in the joint regional permanent commission.
We agree with Copperbelt permanent secretary Villie Lombanya that the joint permanent commission, which was last convened in 2007, needs to meet regularly so that the momentum to enhance cooperation between the two countries is not lost.
ZAMBIA and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are neighbours who share one of the longest common borders in Africa and enjoy harmony despite the diversity of culture of the two peoples.
In fact, for a long time, even prior to independence, the two countries have co-existed as a family and have shared both difficult and happier times together.
It is due to this bond of cooperation that the successive governments in the two countries have over the years and in different ways tried to bring the people of the two countries much closer to each other.
Apart from the high-level bilateral visits by leaders in the two countries, the general population at different levels has also expressed the desire to live as one people, hence, the criss-crossing at border areas by both Zambian and Congolese nationals.
Some townships on the copperbelt are even popularly known as “little Congolese towns” because of the high population of the Congolese nationals living there and we are convinced that deep inside the DRC, some Zambians are obviously also at home there. This is how it should be - the true spirit of pan-Africanism.
We are therefore cheered by the current visit of the DRC interior and culture minister, Jean Marie Dikanga Kazadi, who said in Ndola on Wednesday that there was need for the two countries to meet regularly to discuss matters of common interest.
We agree that Zambia and the DRC should often meet as a family to discuss issues that concern both countries to enhance peace and cooperation.
Issues that immediately come to our mind include the current voluntary repatriation of Congolese refugees to their home country and the modernisarion of the Chembe border post.
We are aware that plans are underway to redesign and turn Chembe border in Mansa district into a modern town to prepare the area for an anticipated increase in the number of business activities since the commissioning of the Levy Mwanawasa Bridge.
Mansa district council Town Clerk Bwanga Kapumpa recently disclosed that the authority would use the K150 million Integrated Development Plan (IDP) funding from government to turn Chembe into a modern border town. How far have these plans gone? It will obviously be in the interest of both countries to know if there is progress.
The tarring of the Pedicle Road is also still outstanding and is one of the many issues that can boost development in the two countries, if it was concluded quickly.
We are also anxious to know if the repatriation of the Congolese in Zambian refugee camps is on course because there were reports that some of them were reluctant to go back home.
Such programmes and many others affecting the two countries call for dialogue so that there is harmonization in the implementation process.
It is commendable therefore that Mr Kazadi is in the country because the presence of the minister in the DRC delegation is an indication of the value the government of President Joseph Kabila attaches to the cooperation between the DRC and Zambia.
We hope the consultative talks will address pertinent security issues affecting the two countries and provide the platform for consensus to deal with other matters agreed in the joint regional permanent commission.
We agree with Copperbelt permanent secretary Villie Lombanya that the joint permanent commission, which was last convened in 2007, needs to meet regularly so that the momentum to enhance cooperation between the two countries is not lost.
posted by aydpels @ 5:48 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home