Congolese soldiers are holding 16 Zambian fishermen for for allegedly fishing in their waters, state-owned the Times of Zambia reported Friday.
The fishermen, from Northern Province of Zambia, were reported to be fishing near the Congolese side of Lake Tanganyika.
Authorities in Congo are demanding for more than $18,636,it reported.
The incident happened on Sunday this week when the fishermen went fishing on Lake Tanganyika,the paper reported quoting Nsama District Commissioner Panji Chilinga.
the men unknowingly crossed the boarders and went into Congo where they were captured and detained by the Congolese marine soldiers but two of them escaped from custody and returned to Zambia, he said.
Families of the suspects are demanding that government urgently intervenes in the matter as they are unable to raise the funds being demanded by the Congolese authorities.
The fishermen also want borders to be clearly marked.
Such incidents are common on the DRC-Zambia borders and it is not expected to sour diplomatic relations.
2012. Africa Review