In a press conference held this past Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Lubumbashi, in the Haut-Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Coalition Congo N’est Pas à Vendre (CNPAV) called for the renegotiation of the agreement signed in 2022 with Ventora, a company owned by Gertler. The coalition highlighted the need for the Congolese government to reassess the agreement due to Gertler’s history of corruption and the imbalanced conditions of the deal. According to the CNPAV, these unfair conditions will force the DRC to pay Mr. Gertler for assets acquired illicitly, allowing him to continue benefiting from royalties from KCC, Mutanda, and Metalkol.
Freddy Kasongo, a member of the CNPAV coalition in the Katanga region, emphasized the coalition’s demands during the press conference. He stated that the government should disclose all the conditions of any potential future license. A plan to lift sanctions should include, at a minimum, no new financial gain for Mr. Gertler from illicitly acquired assets, full transparency regarding the assets he currently owns in the DRC – any false or incomplete declaration should result in the cancellation of sanctions being lifted if granted. The coalition also calls for an end to legal proceedings against civil society actors and whistleblowers, and for Mr. Gertler to be pursued in the United States or elsewhere for his activities.
To achieve a new agreement between the state and Ventora, the CNPAV proposes specific mechanisms. They suggest recognizing illicitly acquired assets, as outlined by the U.S. administration in 2017. Including a clause in the agreement in which Dan Gertler acknowledges acquiring some of these assets illicitly would serve as a starting point for organizing the recovery of these assets by the DRC, as mentioned by Freddy Kasongo during his press briefing in Lubumbashi.
Additionally, the CNPAV emphasizes the need for compensation for the damages caused by Dan Gertler’s illicit acquisition of assets. They propose the establishment of clear, transparent restitution mechanisms supervised by independent parties to facilitate the effective return of illicitly acquired assets. This compensation should accurately reflect the value of the assets and damages suffered by the DRC, according to Mr. Kasongo of the CNPAV.
Expert Insights on the Renegotiation Process
José Mukendi, a political analyst, shared his perspective on the renegotiation process initiated by the CNPAV. He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in any future agreement between the DRC and Ventora. “It is crucial for the Congolese government to ensure that any new deal with Ventora addresses the concerns raised by the coalition and the broader public. This renegotiation presents an opportunity to rectify past injustices and establish a more equitable and sustainable partnership moving forward,” Mukendi stated.
Implications of the Renegotiation for the DRC
The renegotiation of the agreement with Ventora has significant implications for the Democratic Republic of Congo. Beyond the immediate financial considerations, the outcome of this process could impact the country’s reputation, governance practices, and relationships with international partners. As the CNPAV continues to advocate for a fair and transparent resolution, the eyes of the global community are on the DRC to see how it navigates this complex renegotiation process.
As the CNPAV pushes for the renegotiation of the agreement with Ventora, the stakes are high for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The outcome of this process could not only shape the country’s economic future but also its reputation on the international stage. By advocating for transparency, accountability, and fair compensation, the coalition is striving to ensure that any new agreement reflects the best interests of the Congolese people. As the negotiations unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these calls for change and whether a more equitable partnership can be forged with Ventora.