Since last July, the Congolese government and the Kobold Metals company have signed an agreement in principle on mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This partnership, often misinterpreted, has led to the spread of false images and rumours on social networks. On the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, this Monday in New York, President Félix Tshisekedi wanted to clarify things. He said that this partnership is not a predatory agreement, but is a model of "win-win" cooperation.
"Don't see this partnership as a predation, it's not true. Of course, these partnerships are not always balanced, and it is precisely against this that I have stood up. When I arrived, I found agreements where the DRC received only 20 or 30%, while investors took 70 to 80%. I demanded that they be rebalanced. It is not easy because they are contracts already signed, but we are fighting this fight, contract by contract, signature by signature, "while stressing that, despite the injustice of some past contracts, they still provided for benefits for local communities. Unfortunately, these provisions have often not been respected, which, according to him, is primarily the responsibility of the Congolese administrative authorities.
Félix Tshisekedi then explained the mismanagement of the various partnerships with foreigners before his accession to power, and the leaders who were at the origin of these manoeuvres.
"I'm telling you about the period when my predecessor was president. There are clauses in these agreements made with these multinational and other companies that come to invest in the DRC requiring these companies to donate part of their profits to local communities. Now, what has not been done is unfortunately the respect of these clauses, and those responsible are at several levels, up to the local level, because you will find small kings in remote corners, community leaders, group heads, territory, etc., who receive the sums given by the companies in question but who do not use them properly and keep them for themselves. In this case, there is rather a question of justice, investigation, audit to know what is really done with these funds paid by these companies. This means that these clauses exist, but they are not applied everywhere, "he added.
The Congolese head of state also said that in the future, any partner who invests in the Democratic Republic of Congo will have to be satisfied with his investments, just as the host country will have to make a positive impact, both for its local communities and for its national economy. It is this balanced approach that will guide our collaboration with the United States. Contrary to some popular belief, the United States is not economic predators. We have clearly stated this. When the time comes, this agreement will be presented in complete transparency, both before the Congolese Parliament and the US Congress.
"This is a win-win partnership, which will benefit both the Congolese people and the American people," he concluded.
