Dundo - The border between the provinces of Lunda Norte (Angola) and Kassai Central (Democratic Republic of Congo), closed almost two years ago due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was reopened this weekend.
The act took place at the border post of Tchicolondo (Angola) and was co-chaired by the governors of Lunda Norte, Ernesto Muangala and of Kassai Central, John Shikayi, and marked the official reopening of all border posts existing along the 770 kilometres that separate the two countries.
On the occasion, the governor of Lunda Norte, Ernesto Muangala, said that the reopening of the Tchicolondo post would re-launch trade between the two countries, improving revenue collection levels.
According to the Angolan minister, the Tchicolondo border crossing is a driving force for exports of national production and its reopening represents an important milestone for the economy of both countries.
On the other hand, Muangala called on the defence and security bodies and the General Tax Administration to strengthen their inspection activities, with a view to combating immigration and tax evasion.
In his turn, the Governor of Central Kassai, John Shikay, highlighted the importance of the Tchicolondo border post in the importation of several products to his region.
He said that the defence and security bodies of his country will strengthen security and inspection measures, to prevent the violation of the border, by the citizens of his country.
He appealed to the population living along the border, to collaborate with the authorities of the two countries, denouncing the immigration aid.
The border post of Tchicolondo is of strategic importance in collecting tax revenues for the country, after Luvu (Zaire) and Santa Clara (Cunene).
The province of Lunda Norte shares 770 kilometres of land and river border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
