By Hance Guèye, Dakar

The Congolese President, Joseph Kabila, thought he had found the solution to finance his five objectives: infrastructure, jobs, education, water and electricity and healthcare. These have been the main objectives of his mandate – themes that were the central refrain throughout his presidential campaign. But his efforts will not go over easily or at least, not without controversy.

The contract signed the 22nd April with Chinese companies China Railway Group Limited and Sinohydro Corporation for a total of 9 billion dollars, has been deemed questionable by some members of the opposition. In exchange for a thirty-year mining contract, China has committed to building railways, roads, hospitals, schools, low-income housing, hotels and apartment buildings for six billion dollars and the mines for three billion.

The government in power denies any risk of having the nation’s wealth pillaged. The joint venture that will be mining does not belong exclusively to China, he explained. 

Accusations Unable to weigh-in on these developments with only 150 seats out of 350, the opposition opted to strike back by leaving the National Assembly without giving the Minister of Infrastructure, Public Works and Reconstruction, Pierre Lumbi, the opportunity to explain his party’s position. Members of the opposition argued that 10.6 million tonnes of copper reserves (6.8 million tonnes of confirmed reserves and 3.8 million tonnes of probable or possible reserves) as well as 626,000 tonnes of cobalt reserves (426 tonnes of confirmed reserves and 200,000 tonnes of probable reserves) have been ceded to the MVJ (mining joint venture) between the Chinese companies and Gecamines which will actually conduct the mining. This would yield 80 billion dollars to Chinese companies as opposed to the 9 billion dollars estimated.

A Win-Win Situation The government in power denies any risk of having the nation’s wealth pillaged. The joint venture that will be mining does not belong exclusively to China, he explained. The mining joint venture was established between Gecamines and Chinese companies, the latter providing 68% of the 100 million dollars necessary for mining to be carried out. In addition, the minister maintains that 27 of the articles of the convention signed with China allow for re-launching agriculture, mining and manufacturing in the DRC, amounting to a win-win situation for all parties involved.