By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Authorities in Kinshasa, Congo are accusing Angola for polluting two tributaries of the Congo River, the second longest in Africa.
An investigation by Congolese authorities allegedly showed that a leak from the Catoca diamond mine in Angola is responsible for polluting the Tshikapa and Kasai rivers, which had reportedly turned red, All Africa reports.
DR Congo says pollution has harmed the health of the inhabitants of Tshikapa in Kasai province, causing diarrhea.
Reports from villagers in central Congo said the chemicals killed fish and hippos since July.
A report from the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation recently, also says “other large mammals like buffaloes have been affected”.
For their part, Angola admits that its largest diamond mine has suffered damage. The government says it was informed of this by mining company Catoca.
“DR Congo has, from a diplomatic point of view, seized the Angolan government for a mixed assessment of this situation with a view to drawing the consequences”, said Patrick Muyaya, a Congolese government spokesperson.
For now, Congolese authorities have banned the consumption of water from these rivers to avert a humanitarian tragedy.