PROPOS RECUEILLIS PAR TONY NGANGA Les échanges d’amabilités ont inévitablement détendu le début de notre entretien réalisé au téléphone. On sentait la détermination et la sérénité dans les propos de Marius Mihigo. Affaire AVZ, accusations de corruption, trafic d’influence, conflit [...]
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Manono's lithium investigation. INTERVIEW. Marius Mihigo: "It's not me we're targeting, it's the head of state..."
He confessed that he wanted, first, to speak to the international press to announce his decision to sue the authors of the defamatory articles in order to obtain proof of what they are saying. We told him that he could trust us by reserving the scoop of his reaction to a DRC newspaper.
February 13, 2023 Patient Ketu Comments Offon Investigation of Manono's lithium. INTERVIEW. Marius Mihigo: "It's not me we're targeting, it's the head of state..."
Marius Mushagalusa Mihigo
COMMENTS COLLECTED BY TONY NGANGA
The exchanges of pleasantries inevitably relaxed the beginning of our telephone interview. We felt the determination and serenity in the words of Marius Mihigo. AVZ affair, accusations of corruption, influence peddling, conflict of interest, his relationship with President Tshisekedi and his entourage. We wanted to interview him to understand better.
From the start of our interview, we plunged in, warning him that our questions were not going to please him, because he would find them direct, sometimes aggressive. “I will answer all your questions. He kept his word. He answered directly, skilfully but never looking for red herrings.
From Washington, DC, in the United States, Marius Mihigo told us that if he decided to rely on a court decision, “it is above all a question of reputation and probity”. He says he is “ready to fight for his honor”. He has already instructed his lawyers to file a complaint “in due form for defamation”.
The obstacle course
Marius Mushagalusa Mihigo Ngalamulume known as <Marius Mihigo>, graduate in International Relations from the CEDS in Paris, holder of an Executive MBA in Management of Intelligence and Security Agencies from the CF2R (French Center for Intelligence Research) and former Program Auditor negotiations at the universities of Harvard in the USA and Oxford in England. International consultant in business since 1993, specializing in negotiations, economic intelligence and international business facilitation. He has been special envoy to several Heads of State and Government, special adviser and administrator in several non-State organizations as well as a volunteer with several charities.
Business and Finances : How did you react to the Australian Financial Review article, and relayed by other media on the alleged amount of 6 million dollars to be paid to you by AVZ?
Marius M. Mihigo : It's racism, quite simply. For this journalist (Tom Richardson of AFR) and others, when an African receives fees in the millions of dollars, it means that he is going to use part of his remuneration to bribe the agents of the State or the country authorities. Do you really think that if it was a white guy getting millions of dollars for his performances, these people would be talking about kickbacks? Moreover, it is not a question of 6 million but of a million dollars and reimbursement of various expenses paid not in cash but directly by transfer.
BEF : These accusations certainly mortgage your reputation and that of AVZ, but they also rot the business climate in the country...
MMM : My reputation and that of AVZ remain intact. Personally, I have represented the interests of more than 20 multinationals over the past two decades in strict compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). As far as the business climate is concerned, I imagine that Mr. Richardson's racist motivations lead him to also want to discredit the DRC.
BEF : Why, in your opinion, are we attacking AVZ?
MMM : The attacks on AVZ are part of a smear campaign designed to destroy AVZ's reputation with the head of state in order to get President Tshisekedi to order AVZ to be expelled from the DRC.
BEF : Naturally, AVZ opposes the approach of the Minister of Mines… What would happen if the company took the dispute to a court of arbitration?
MMM : It goes without saying that in the event of international arbitration, the DRC would lose. But we are not there yet.
BEF : What is the state of the situation in the AVZ affair?
MMM : Currently AVZ is serene because having respected all its commitments and having seized the highest hierarchy of the country in order to return to its rights as an investor.
AVZ is also happy that the 221 mining squares have become part of the assets of Dathcom Mining SA, of which AVZ remains the majority shareholder. It is desirable that the Minister of Mines take an amending decision including the 221 mining squares, grant the exploitation permit to Dathcom Mining SA and that notification be made in order to start the project.
BEF : What is the current position of the Australian mining giant and what does it expect from the state?
MMM : That the state protect AVZ in accordance with the constitution, the mining code, establish a win-win consultation framework, and allow it to finance the project.
BEF : Do you think that behind the anti-AVZ media campaign, there are people who want to settle accounts with you politically?
MMM : Yes, definitely. It is obvious that my background bothers some people.
BEF : What is your relationship with President Tshisekedi?
MMM : My relationship with the Head of State does not date from today. I have been active in the UDPS since 1990. I officially served the Head of State from July 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 as an expert in the political, defense and security cell of the presidential strategic intelligence council with rank adviser to the President of the Republic. Since my departure from the presidency, I have had no particular relationship with the President. I have deep admiration for President Tshisekedi and have great respect for the work he does for our nation.
BEF : We have seen President Tshisekedi get rid of close associates soaked up to their necks in cases of corruption and bribery... Aren't you afraid that this will happen to you too?
MMM : I am not involved in any form of embezzlement and I am not a member of the presidential cabinet. I am therefore not concerned by the purge in question.
