Seems pretty clear the DRC aren't interested in any negotiations directly with AVZ thus far....and despite their atrociously corrupt behaviour from the word go, I can't help but feel the campaign of social media insults and derogatory comments (however understandably emotionally frayed shareholders might be) hasn't/doesn't help our corner in this regard. It has/can be potentially twisted by our global detractors (likely involving them regularly planting such comments on social media to keep the pot boiling) with the easily applied, even if unjustified, racial connotations, given the history of colonialism and global sensitivities.
Not justifying or excusing the behaviour of those involved against us in any way, shape or form, but that sort of commentary may have been playing into the hands of said detractors and getting the backs up of those we may now need on-side in the DRC ( I'm aware how ridiculous that sounds given what we've endured and it makes my backside tingle with anger even typing it).
Nigel has been clear to publically distance the official AVZ stance from such derogatory commentary and I belive it's for very good reason. I'd urge people not to further the campaign of hateful and insulting social media mud-slinging at this stage, in order to give this process of US intervention in the region the best possible chance of returning a result that's also very much in our favour.
Raising valid issues with firm but factual information and commentary, while allowing the board to unwaiveringly follow the due international legal process, has surely got to be putting our best foot forwards at this stage.....with the hope that it all becomes obsolete following successful US involvement in the region and a fair and reasonable outcome for all long-suffering AVZ shareholders.
Just a hurried 2c worth while reeling from the fact that, even when offered a bone to be able to come out of this without further looking like the corrupt charlatans they are to global investors, the DRC officials have yet to show signs of good faith...at least publically.