Continued security concerns

The Zambian government has shown a “remarkably” hospitable approach to receiving refugees from neighbouring Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but is increasingly concerned about the security implications of the influx, diplomatic sources told IRIN. The government has tried to tackle the problem of separating and disarming ex-combatants from among civilian refugees, but lacks the logistical capacity.

They fear that many fighters who are not genuinely seeking asylum may be hiding in border villages, the diplomats said. Lusaka has appealed to the UN Secretary-General, and in response four military observers were deployed along the Zambia/DRC border on 19 January. In the last few months, 15,000 DRC refugees have arrived in northern Zambia. Added to the problems pf the inlux is the deporable state of access roads and bridges in northern Zambia, the diplomats said. Zambia is hosting a total of 250,000 refugees from DRC and Angola.