DRC: CNPAV to participate in the round on the mining assets returned by Dan Gertler, but ardently demands the publication of the agreement

The member organizations of the Congo Not for Sale (CNPAV) coalition respond favorably to the invitation of the Presidency of the Republic to participate in the round table of restitution on the agreement signed between the DRC and the Ventora Group of the Israeli economic operator, Dan Gertler. These meetings go from this Wednesday, April 13 to this Thursday, April 14 at the Pullman hotel in Kinshasa.

However, welcoming this dialogue initiated by the Presidency of the Republic, the CNPAV, categorically, continues to denounce “the illegality and lack of transparency” of obtaining oil and mining assets by Dan Gertler.

“Our undersigned, member organizations of the Congo N’est Pas à Vendre (CNPAV) coalition, acknowledge receipt of your invitation to the feedback round table on the agreement that the DRC has signed with the Ventora Group of the economic operator Dan Gertler, restoring the oil and mining assets that he obtained in a non-transparent and irregular manner. Dialogue being one of the fundamental values ​​shared by our organizations, we encourage this initiative which follows the preparatory meeting to which you invited some of our organizations on April 2, 2022”, informs a correspondence addressed to the Chief of Staff of the Chief of the State, Guylain Nyembo.

This civil society platform confirms its participation.

“Thus, we therefore confirm the participation of our organizations (ODEP, UNIS. AFREWATCH, LUCHA, FILIMBI and RESOURCE MATTERS) in the said meeting in order to present the common positions of our coalition appearing in our latest press release attached in the appendix” , she says.

However, the CNPAV has expressed its concerns about the form and content of this initiative.

“During the preparatory meeting, you reassured us that the terms of reference (TOR) would be shared before the meeting, this is unfortunately not the case. In addition, invitations are sent to us 24 hours before the start of work. This situation does not allow the participants, which we are, to have enough information on the said round table”, notes the CNPAV.

Congo Not For Sale insists on the need to have access to the agreement signed between the two parties, the DRC and Dan Gertler, to build trust and reduce suspicion.

“On reading the invitation, it also appears quite clearly that the participants will not have access to the said agreement and its annexes, which are essential to build trust and reduce suspicion. This approach goes against the approach of the Presidency aimed at promoting the transparency of the transactional terms signed with Mr. Dan Gertler”, mentions the CNPAV.

It should be noted that in general, among the NGOs invited to this activity, there is AFRIWATCH, Resource Matters, Touche pas à mon cobalt, CERN-CENCO, ODEP, REGED, CORAP, FFBGD, the representation of the ECC, CENADEP, CERJI , UNIS, LICOCO, LUCHA, FILIMBI, aggrieved consumers, Respublica, RECIC, ACAJ, ASADHO, COLLECTIF 24, ACDIC, NSCC, GREM, CAFCO, and ITIE.