DRC extols Zambia
By DEAN MWAANGATHE Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has paid tribute to Zambia for the assistance rendered to refugees of that country during the civil war.
Ministry of Interior and Security in the Congolese Central Government General Secretary (Permanent Secretary), Xavier Mirindi said his government appreciates the reception Congolese received when they fled their country.
“Your assistance was free, you received your brothers and sisters, you received your friends and you received Africans. There is no word we can say to thank Zambia, if that word exists, only God can say it,” Mr Mirindi said.
He said this when his 15- member delegation paid a courtesy call on North-Western province permanent secretary Eustern Mambwe in Solwezi yesterday.
Mr Mirindi’s delegation included Katanga province Interior minister, Jean-Marie Dikanga Kazadi, officials from that country’s National Refugee office and several other government officials.
He said his delegation is in the country to sensitise Congolese refugees who are still in Zambia on the prevailing peace in the DRC.
Mr Mirindi said there is no more war in the Congo and it is time for DRC nationals who are still in Zambia to go back and contribute to the development of their country.
“The war is over and the time has come for the refugees still in Zambia to come back home and contribute to national development. This is the message we bring,” he said.
Mr Mirindi said the war experienced in his country helped cement the fraternal relations between the two countries.
He said Congo has been peaceful since the last elections which retained Joseph Kabila as president.
Dr Mambwe commended the Congolese government for sustaining the peace prevailing in that country.
He said Zambia and the DRC enjoy good relations and the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security between the two countries has been meeting regularly to enhance peace and security.
Dr Mambwe said the commission which has had several meetings is satisfied with the relations except for the incident that happened three months ago when Congolese refugees rioted at Maheba refugee settlement.
He said North Western province is developing at a fast rate as government has put emphasis on building modern infrastructure.
Dr Mambwe challenged the Congolese government to match the infrastructure put at Kipushi border post on the Zambia side saying it was the shortest route to Lubumbashi as it was only 19 kilometers from the border.
United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) field officer for Solwezi, Sonako Sunayama, said her organisation welcomes the opportunity for the two governments to come together and address Congolese nationals in Zambia.
Ms Sunayama said sensitising refugees on the need to go back to their countries is in line with UNHCR’s repatriation exercise for those willing to go back.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
