AVZ Discussion 2022

Flight996

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M.Bison

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Is he wrong? ICSID is definitely about leverage. I am sure we don't want to end up having to chase this money after award.
The idea is that the asset is encumbered and western companies cannot touch it without going through AVZ.
 
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Flight996

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Is he wrong? ICSID is definitely about leverage. I am sure we don't want to end up having to chase this money after award.
The idea is that the asset is encumbered and western companies cannot touch it without going through AVZ.
While the following (below) refers to the Republic of Congo, rather than the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the principle remains. Both ICC and ICSID have enforcement powers. It takes time, resources and dedication, and even then full restitution is unlikely to be achieved. If push comes to shove, we can apply to seize DRC property and importantly, the income stream associated with their mineral-for-peace mining operations.


Unfortunately, the DRC kleptocrats wrote the book on stalling and diversionary tactics designed to frustrate the process. Both ICC and ICSID rejected the DRC’s recent attempts to invoke the sovereign immunity provisions in the preliminary stages of our arbitrations.

Our best option is probably through diplomatic pressure from the Trump administration.

Cheers
F
 
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M.Bison

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While the following (below) refers to the Republic of Congo, rather than the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the principle remains. Both ICC and ICSID have enforcement powers. It takes time, resources and dedication, and even then full restitution is unlikely to be achieved.


Unfortunately, the DRC kleptocrats wrote the book on stalling and diversionary tactics designed to frustrate the process. Our best option is probably through diplomatic pressure from the Trump administration.

Cheers
F
Regardless of our potential to squeeze money out of the DRC or not, I don't think thats a path any of us want to go down is it? Ideally there is a middle ground that a western company is willing to come to the table with to extract resources now. Not sure I can mentally handle a 2 year court case followed by 5 years of enforcement orders.
 
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Azzler

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Please zap the thing :)
 
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KentCStrait

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Here we go again. August Cohen delivering another sermon from the mount, like he’s sitting inside the ICSID panel and advising the World Bank directly.

He speaks with total conviction—as if anything he’s ever said has actually happened. Just look at his recent track record on the DRC-Rwanda peace deal. First, he said it was definitely happening. Then he backtracked and insisted it wouldn’t. Now? The deal actually happened—signed in Washington on June 27, with U.S. and Qatari mediation. So much for expert insight.

This isn’t a one-off. He constantly shifts narratives to sound like he’s in the know. One minute it’s gospel, the next it’s doom, depending on how the wind’s blowing.

I'll say it again. He's full of shit.
 
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Flight996

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Regardless of our potential to squeeze money out of the DRC or not, I don't think thats a path any of us want to go down is it? Ideally there is a middle ground that a western company is willing to come to the table with to extract resources now. Not sure I can mentally handle a 2 year court case followed by 5 years of enforcement orders.

Yes, collectively we have varying levels of tolerance to delays and frustrations, and have different priorities. I have the greatest respect for those who have hung tough despite extreme personal and financial stress through the past three years of trolls, and institutionalised DRC lies, theft and total disregard for normal behavior.

Let's hope we're in the final stages, and we all get out with a profit and our dreams relatively intact.
 
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ptlas

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Can anyone think why Felix would be going to Cyprus?
View attachment 87843

There's a ' scheme ', whereby residence can be obtained subject to making financial investments in the country.

Prior to around 2020, full citizenship could be purchased, but this was cancelled under pressure from the EU because dodgy geezers were getting EU citizenship. Cyprus is a full member.

Not that I believe FT is anything less than an upstanding member of the community.
 
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wombat74

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Goat

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August showing his ability to have NFI
 
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Hudnut

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August old boy putting the boot in over on X 🥾

"PR133359 is legally extinguished and there is no provision to re-establish or create it in Congolese law".

Using August's high and mighty lettering scheme:

a) PR133359 was not legally extinguished.
b) Since fucking when do the Congolese follow their own laws?
c) Laws mean SFA when the country is corrupt as fuck.
d) The Congolese will establish a PR against their own laws and grant it to whoever they want, as per the PR for the North/CDL to Zijin.
e) Not following laws is why ICC/ICSID rulings are so difficult to enforce. It is a Congolese contract that states ICC is where arbitration takes place.
f) The real leverage is from:
f.1) Felix being scared the US won't save him from M23 in return for Minerals
f.2) The US enforcing any contract he signs with them by using their military. Geopolitical remification for this are yet to be seen.

All point a) to f.2) are more than plausible.

I think the DRC and China are not just delaying AVZ in the courts to bleed them dry, but also trying to outlast the Trump Presidency and hoping they don't get Vance afterwards, as they are both willing to throw around the weight of the US military to make the DRC comply.

Trump said at the signing in the Oval Office he is replying on the delegates to hammer out the details, as there "are other means".
 
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Dave Evans

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He hates Share holders calling for fair compensation . Thinks we should accept whatever crumbs are thrown our way and be grateful .

Perhaps someone should remind Augie that international investors (including the US) don’t want to invest in a country that doesn’t abide by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) rules.

What about all the talk of mechanisms around transparency, accountability, traceability, reliability and de-risking mineral supply chains and other legal frameworks for investors!

Not to mention all the agreements around independent economic audits and anti-corruption mechanisms to monitor mineral supply chains, infrastructure projects, and any future economic agreements between the Parties, as set out in the Regional Economic Integration Framework.


Does Augie think some sort of joint oversight committee should have greater legal authority than the ICC and ICSID. I always thought he was a wanker and I’ve always thought the best course of action was through DLA Piper.

Remember this earlier post about DLA Piper’s experience in these types of arbitration 👇

"DLA Piper is widely regarded as one of the top global law firms for handling complex cross-border disputes, including investment treaty arbitrationand mining sector negotiations—both highly relevant to the AVZ scenario.

While specific case outcomes are often confidential, here’s what we can draw from public records and their track record:

🔹 Strengths Relevant to AVZ’s Case
  • Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS): DLA Piper has represented both investors and states in ICSID and UNCITRAL arbitrations. Their experience includes disputes over expropriation, mining licenses, and regulatory interference—core issues in AVZ’s claim against the DRC.
  • Mining & Energy Sector Expertise: The firm has advised on resource nationalization disputes, joint venture breakdowns, and permit revocations, often in Africa and Latin America.
  • Settlement Strategy: DLA Piper emphasizes early dispute resolution where possible, using mediation, structured negotiations, and hybrid settlement frameworks—similar to the KoBold-AVZ framework.
🔍 Notable Examples
  • Vedanta Resources v. Zambia: DLA Piper advised Vedanta in a dispute over the seizure of a copper mine. The case involved ICSID arbitration and complex negotiations with the Zambian government.
  • Tethyan Copper Company v. Pakistan: While not directly involved, DLA Piper has cited this case in its publications as a benchmark for large-scale mining arbitration, showcasing their familiarity with billion-dollar claims.
  • Confidential African Mining Dispute: In a matter involving a revoked mining license in West Africa, DLA Piper reportedly helped secure a favorable settlement through a combination of arbitration and diplomatic engagement.
đź§­ Implications for AVZ
Given DLA Piper’s deep bench of arbitration specialists, sector-specific knowledge, and experience navigating political risk, they are well-positioned to negotiate a favorable outcome for AVZ—whether through a KoBold-facilitated settlement or a full ICSID ruling.


Perhaps if the DRC want to continue to try and screw us, we should just go back to exposing their corruption. There’s plenty of facts and evidence if anyone wants to have a look in this link below 👇

 
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wombat74

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From FrankMe on HC

The DRC-US Agreement will aim to sovereignly develop our strategic minerals, particularly copper, cobalt, and lithium..."

"The Congo of today is no longer one of fatalism and helplessness," declared President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo on Monday, June 30, 2025, during his speech celebrating the 65th anniversary of the independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo.


According to Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, the DRC is ready to establish strategic, reliable, transparent, and, above all, win-win partnerships that will benefit the Congolese people.

"To our partners in the United States, China, Europe, the Gulf States, the African continent, and the entire world, I solemnly say: the Democratic Republic of the Congo is back and ready to forge strategic, reliable, transparent, and, above all, win-win partnerships.

The resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will never be sold off or handed over to obscure interests. These resources will benefit the Congolese people.

According to the President of the Republic, the agreement to be signed with the United States of America will aim to sovereignly develop strategic minerals, particularly copper, cobalt, and lithium.

"This renewed confidence will soon translate into the signing of a strategic and unprecedented agreement with the United States of America in the mining sector.


This agreement will mark a decisive step in positioning the DRC as a central player in the global energy transition and the emerging green economy.

It paves the way for local processing, the creation of thousands of jobs, and a new economic model based on sovereignty and national added value," stated the President of the Republic.

Bold Reforms Undertaken

During his second term, Félix Tshisekedi announced that he had initiated several judicial and economic reforms.

"This vision, which I share with you and for you, informs each of our decisions and underpins the bold reforms we are pursuing in a spirit of renewal and assertive sovereignty.

Alongside the government, I have initiated a series of economic, judicial, and institutional reforms aimed at establishing a true rule of law, eradicating corruption, and creating a business climate conducive to investment and initiative."


Meeting between Tshisekedi and Martin Fayulu: an important step

For the President of the Republic, his meeting with Martin Fayulu, one of the opposition leaders, demonstrates a shared desire to place the nation's best interests above partisan quarrels.

It marks an important step towards a policy of reconciliation, mutual listening, and reciprocal respect.

mediacongo
 
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cruiser51

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There's a ' scheme ', whereby residence can be obtained subject to making financial investments in the country.

Prior to around 2020, full citizenship could be purchased, but this was cancelled under pressure from the EU because dodgy geezers were getting EU citizenship. Cyprus is a full member.

Not that I believe FT is anything less than an upstanding member of the community.
Yup Cypress got also a honorary mention in the Panama Papers and they do accept number accounts, but it is all above board.
Hopefully they are better than that bank in Kinshasa, which just loses US$20 million, without the blink of one eye, or an entire army of eyes.
 
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cruiser51

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If you believe August, than ICSID is an extension of the TRUMP Inc. and they do as told, or the proud boys will torch their headquarter.

Dear August, just to remind you the USA is part of the world, the world is not part of the USA. FFS!

The Gulf of America, Canada a state of the USA, Greenland a state of the USA. I don't know what is wrong with these fucking idiots!
Why don't they annex South America as well? Where do these fukwits stop?
 
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cruiser51

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I don't agree with the racial overtones ,but this person on X seems to know August .


"AVZ SH's need to block that august fwit! Hes a NYC shit stain jew failed lawyer who married a dipshit drc women. He wouldnt have a clue what is happening and tries to imply previous job to this case. And on wrong side of the US table to ever know anything before we do." - Iggy bliss

Can anyone concur?
Never with Iggy Bliss.
Is he a mate of you?
 

wombat74

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Never with Iggy Bliss.
Is he a mate of you?
Ok . No I am not aware of who he is . The post just made me laugh that's all . I'll take it down .
 

Spikerama

Regular
Isn't Iggy Bliss a DerGeist nom de plume? I always thought it was.

Anyway folks, I'm off overseas for a month to escape this cold. So no Friday Funnies from me for a while. If I can I will but it's up to the usual suspects to cover that one.

Don't be naughty. Keep it clean. I'll see you when I get back.

Spike out.
 
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19 minutes of pure comedic hyperbole.

All while, as was reported back in February:

"Switzerland's largest bank freezes Tshisekedi family funds estimated at $8 billion, but experts suspect some of the fortune is in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The funds blocked in Switzerland are suspected of being linked to opaque transactions and the misappropriation of natural resources, particularly in the mining sector, which represents a significant part of the Congolese economy."

https://vacradiointernational.com/2...fortune-se-trouve-au-qatar-et-aux-emirats-ar/

That figure is more than 10% of the estimated 2025 GDP of the DRC...

Those funds might have contributed somewhat in helping to build the "modern, safe and respected Congo" he heralds in the video.
 
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