Zambia announced a temporary closure of its borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo over the weekend, a decision that could impact copper exports from Africa’s largest producer.
Zambia’s Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga, announced that the government has taken precautionary measures by temporarily closing its borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Speaking on state-owned ZNBC on Saturday night, Mulenga warned that the closure might lead to a backlog of trucks at the border.
The border closure follows recent protests in Congo, triggered by Congo’s ban on specific Zambian beverage imports, ZNBC reported. Minister Chipoka Mulenga did not specify the duration of the closure.
This action could impact the export of Congo’s copper, which primarily passes through Zambia to regional ports.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Uganda landslide death toll climbs to 13 as rescuers search for survivors