The Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has dismissed the narrative by Congolese authorities that the maize crisis in Grand Katanga and Kasai was created by opposition leader Moise Katumbi.
Addressing a press briefing in Lusaka, President Hichilema debunked the narrative by
Congolese authorities and delivered the truth on the subject.
President Hichilema said until recently when Congo placed an order for the maize, there was never an official request from the DRC for the commodity.
He said the Congolese government never paid any payment through official channels as per requirement.
President Hichilema is happy that the two governments have finally agreed on prices and bank
payment methods.
According to him, there was therefore never any interference in the blocking of maize by anyone.
President Hichilema says the maize crisis in the DRC was self created and should not be blamed on anyone.
A few weeks ago, President Felix Tshisekedi’s spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, Haut Katanga Governor Jacques Kyabula Katwe and finance minister Nicholas Kazadi were among the top government officials who led a narrative that the maize crisis was created by Katumbi who had stopped Zambia from shipping the commodity.
