What's next?
As others have reported, Friday's peace agreement gives the DRC and Rwanda three months to launch a framework to expand foreign trade and investment derived from regional critical mineral supply chains. This framework will be signed off by heads of state in Washington at a later (unspecified) date.
My understanding is that this agreement is the basis of the minerals-for-security agreement. The Lobito Corridor investment and agreement is separate, but clearly integrates with the economic agreement. Let's hope it all falls into place and integrates seamlessly. However, anything involving the DRC is generally fucked-up.
With things falling into place (at least on paper), hopefully the proposed purchase of AVZ's interest in the Manono project can progress.
Unfortunately, the DRC refuses to negotiate with AVZ because it does not recognise AVZ as the holder of PR13359. It wants negotiations to occur between KoBold and Cominiere only. On the other hand, KoBold wants to negotiate with AVZ, rather than Cominiere because it recognises AVZ's rights over Manono. The recommencement of ICSID arbitration potentially exposures the DRC to billions in compensation when it's systematic corruption is made public and it loses big time. Now is the time for Felix-the-corrupt to step up and show some backbone and leadership.
Cheers
F
As others have reported, Friday's peace agreement gives the DRC and Rwanda three months to launch a framework to expand foreign trade and investment derived from regional critical mineral supply chains. This framework will be signed off by heads of state in Washington at a later (unspecified) date.
My understanding is that this agreement is the basis of the minerals-for-security agreement. The Lobito Corridor investment and agreement is separate, but clearly integrates with the economic agreement. Let's hope it all falls into place and integrates seamlessly. However, anything involving the DRC is generally fucked-up.
With things falling into place (at least on paper), hopefully the proposed purchase of AVZ's interest in the Manono project can progress.
Unfortunately, the DRC refuses to negotiate with AVZ because it does not recognise AVZ as the holder of PR13359. It wants negotiations to occur between KoBold and Cominiere only. On the other hand, KoBold wants to negotiate with AVZ, rather than Cominiere because it recognises AVZ's rights over Manono. The recommencement of ICSID arbitration potentially exposures the DRC to billions in compensation when it's systematic corruption is made public and it loses big time. Now is the time for Felix-the-corrupt to step up and show some backbone and leadership.
Cheers
F