Congolese flee into Zambia
2004-10-18 11:50
Lusaka - Over 3 000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have fled to northern Zambia due to a flare-up in fighting near the border, it was revealed on Monday.
The refugees are currently at Kilwa Island on the Zambian side where authorities are trying to ferry them to a refugee camp inland, said Northern Province Deputy Minister Kennedy Sakeni.
"We have received over 3 000 Congolese in recent days. They crossed Lake Bangweulu with small boats up to the island," Sakeni said.
Fighting broke out last week in the mining town of Kilwa, located about 400 kilometres northeast of Lubumbashi near Lake Mweru, about 50 kilometres from the border with Zambia.
"The situation is still tense and we expect more refugees in the coming days," said a Zambian security official on condition of anonymity.
Zambians living on the long border with DRC have frequently been attacked by suspected Congolese rebels who usually cross the border in search of food.
More than 300 000 refugees, mostly from DRC and Angola, are living in Zambia.