Albert Yuma cited as main signatory of contracts in the Dan Gertler cases – CNPAV/ DRC
The investigation carried out by the campaign “the Congo is not for sale” (CNPAV), published on Thursday, April 22, highlights the privatization of part of the royalties of Gécamines, as well as the irregularities which characterized their acquisition by Dan Gertler and his companies. The CNPAV points out that the future revenue losses for the DRC State and Gécamines, which amount to around 90 million per year.
This civil society platform informs that if nothing is done, Dan Gertler will continue to collect more than $ 200,000 per day on average – and much more if you take into account current copper and cobalt prices. It will affect them on the basis of transactions that have not followed the legal procedure provided for the disengagement of State companies. By putting up for sale a small fraction of his future proceeds, Dan Gertler could seek to protect himself against a real investigation of these ill-gotten goods.
Who did Dan Gertler buy the DRC mines from?
Jean-Pierre Okenda, researcher within the NGO Resource Matters and member of the CNPAV answered this question raised by DESKECO, during the press conference of this platform held at the Memling hotel
“Dan Gertler bought our land from the Congolese leaders who have received a mandate from the people. Among these people, there are first of all the managers of Gécamines in this case, Albert Yuma who signed the majority of the contracts. It’s not just Albert Yuma who is just a proxy. There are also the various ministers of the Portfolio who have succeeded one another. We should also mention the shadow of the Minister of Mines, Martin Kabwelulu. Prime ministers are also involved because nothing can be done without the Prime Minister’s control. And if we have to go back, there is personal responsibility of the former President of the Republic, Joseph Kabila. It is to all these people that Dan Gertler paid the money to recover our land, ”he said.
And to add:
“Dan Gertler used his rapprochement of friendship with President Joseph Kabila as evidenced by the US Department report. Dan Gertler has already acted on behalf of the Congo with the mandate of President Joseph Kabila ”.
For Jean-Pierre Okenda, Congolese leaders have taken decisions against the country. This is what blocks the DRC from enjoying the benefits of its minerals.
“This is an elite affair against its people. These are the people we have given mandate who took the decisions against us, ”lamented Jean-Pierre Okenda.
Congo is for Sale also reveals that since the 2018 elections, more than $ 209 million in royalties were owed to Dan Gertler. This equates to more than 1,000 schools that could have been built across the territory. The campaign reiterates the demand for a rigorous, independent and complete audit of the transfer of Gécamines shares and royalties to Dan Gertler in the Mutanda Mining, KCC and Metalkol project.
