Cross-border movement in both directions through the Copperbelt crossing of Kasumbalesa between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has ground to a halt because of political unrest.
According to Mike Fitzmaurice of the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta), political protest flared up in the town of Kasumbalesa north of the border, effectively disrupting the flow of freight through the border.
A crucial transit on the North-South Line into the DRC’s copper mining areas in Haut-Katanga province, Kasumbalesa has been quiet and free-flowing. Challenges in the past have regularly caused congestion at the border.
This morning’s events represent the first time in months that Kasumbalesa, rather than other NSL crossings like Chirundu and Beitbridge, has led to cargo on the NSL coming to a halt.
WATCH: Political violence in south-eastern DRC this morning disrupted freight through the border crossing of Kasumbalesa.
