Somalia says ‘concerned’ with arrests of nationals in Zambia

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Somalia has expressed ‘concern’ following the mass arrests of its national in Zambia Friday but said was following up on the matters.

In response to the reports of arrests in the copper belt region of Ndola Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the arrests were based on ethnicity.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is closely monitoring alleged reports of mass arrest of Somali individuals in Ndola, Zambia, based on their ethnicity, irrespective of nationality, is a cause of concern and presently engaging authorities in Zambia for clarity and resolving this unfortunate event expeditiously,” Mogadishu said in a tweet.

Sources said as many as 600 Somalis were rounded up in Ndola and taken to a stadium where most of them were later released.

The Zambian government has not spoken about the matter.