Evidence of grand corruption mounts in Beijing’s showcase $6 billion
barter deal with the Kinshasa government
Over US$23 million in signature bonuses
payable on China’s $6 billion Sino-Congolaise des Mines (Sicomines)
deal with the Kinshasa government have been stolen according to a probe
by a commission set up by the National Assembly. The stolen monies were
part of some $50 mn. that Chinese companies were due to have paid to
Congo’s mining parastatal, Gécamines, the Commission
Economique et Financière reported in late January. These findings
follow growing concerns in recent weeks about the accountability of
natural resource deals by Chinese companies in Angola and Kazakhstan.
Ahead of national elections in 2011, Congo’s President Joseph
Kabila is demanding better value for money: more jobs for
Congolese workers and fewer imported Chinese workers....
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