DRC frees 30 Zambian fishermen
2008-02-18 09:44
Lusaka - Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have released 30 Zambian fishermen who were seized earlier this month by gunmen on the cross-border Lake Mweru, said the government on Monday.
Defence Minister George Mpombo said the fishermen were returned to Zambia after the matter was resolved diplomatically by the two governments.
"The situation has been normalised and I want to appeal to Zambians to remain calm," said Mpombo.
"There is no need to worry because the fishermen have all been brought back home," the minister added.
He said the gunmen who abducted the Zambians had accused them of unauthorised entry into the DRC's waters and of breaching a fishing ban imposed by the Congolese authorities.