Zambia asks Zimbabwe to repatriate fugitive soldiers

Zambia has asked Zimbabwe to repatriate its soldiers who reportedly crossed into its territory from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the fall of the southeastern town of Pweto to rebel forces, agencies reported on Friday. Zimbabwean troops are supporting President Laurent-Desire Kabila against rebels backed by Rwanda and Uganda. The number of Congolese, Zimbabwean and Hutu militia that crossed into Zambia is unclear, some agencies put the figure as high as 10,000. Zambia’s foreign minister Keli Walubita confirmed to journalists on Thursday that President Robert Mugabe’s government had been asked to repatriate its troops. The Rally for Congolese Democracy announced that it had captured Pweto two days ago. According to Walubita, Zambia lacks the capacity to handle such a huge influx of soldiers. Consequently, Lusaka has appealed to the United Nations, and the International Committee of the Red Cross for assistance. Walubita said that Zambian troops had managed to disarm the Congolese and Zimbabwean soldiers who have congregated in the Zambian border town of Chiengi. They have also reportedly been separated from the thousands of civilian refugees who have also fled the fighting. Thousands more soldiers may have crossed the border but remain camped in the bush. Walubita said that arrangements were being made to repatriate the Congolese soldiers to the DRC.