Cobweb of Greed: The Plunder
Report |
04/25/2001
In a welcome display of straight talk, a report by a Panel
on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms
of Wealth in the Congo was transmitted by Secretary-General Kofi
Annan to the Security Council. It displayed the cobweb of greed
that drains the natural wealth of several African countries. Those
who invested in tension and conflict were basically exploiting
their paramilitary prowess to make profit at the expense of hundreds
of thousands of displaced innocent people. Key players in the
Congo, Rwanda, Uganda and Angola, as well as accommodating or
hidden partners, were specifically named. An excellent part reviews
the structure of the illegal exploitation from the administrative
set-up of accommodating governors to the financial network to
other private companies and individual actors, with a focus on
full exploitation under cover of conflict at three private airline
companies busily involved on the Ugandan side, mostly using planes
provided by a well-known outsider. There were six such companies
on the Rwandan side. Also, the Panel indicated, based on reliable
sources, that Sabena cargo is said to carry material extracted
from the Congo from Kigali airport in Rwanda to European destinations.
The management of Sabena in Kampala and Brussels refused to make
anyone available to speak to the Panel. Several small banks also
played a key role. These included Union des Banques congolaises,
whose ongoing operations are in areas controlled by Rwanda; Banque
commerciale du Congo, whose Director was transferred to Kigali,
is linked to Belgian consortium Belgolaise; Banque commerciale
du Rwanda operating in Kisingani, Bukavu and Goma; Banque de la
Confiance d'Or, a family-owned business; and Banque du commerce,
du developpement et d'industrie, an active newcomer in Kigali
whose shareholders, the Panel was told, included an element of
the Rwandan Patriotic Front, influential individuals and some
Angolans.
From diamonds to coffee to forest wood, timber and gold, let
alone dumping counterfeit money, an assortment of seemingly deadly
enemies but actual partners plunder the region. In one example,
the Panel has chosen to focus on three key actors. First and second
are Ugandan Major-General (retired) Salim Saleh, alias Khaleb
Akandwanaho, and his wife, Jovia Akandwanaho. "He is the younger
brother of President Museveni (very popular in the army) and pulls
the strings of illegal activities in areas controlled by Uganda
and its allies. James Kegini is his right-hand man." His wife
seems particularly interested in diamonds. "According to very
reliable sources, she is at the root of the Kisangani wars. She
wanted control of the Kisangani diamond market after having confirmation
from Mr. Khalil of the Victoria Group" that it was a good and
feasible idea. General Kegini is former commander of military
operations in the Congo and is "the master in the field; the orchestrator,
organizer and manager of the most illegal activities related to
Ugandan troop preserves in north and northeastern Congo".
Actors in that field cannot be separated from the structure they
serve. Yet, some names keep coming up on several occasions. They
include Ali Hussein, who plays a major role in gold and diamond
deals, always having a Rwandan citizen in attendance. Another
is a Colonel Kabarebe, who is a "facilitator". A third is Tibere
Rujigiro, one of the main financiers during the 1990-1994 war.
A unique case seems to be that of Aziza Kulsum Gulamali, whose
vague status is compounded by her access to various passports.
She lives in Nairobi, Bukavu or Brussels, "depending on her schedule".
Her newly built alliance with Rwanda is at odds with her previous
involvement in arms trafficking in support of its deadly adversaries,
the Burundian Hutu. In an attempt to explain her partnership role,
Goma province officials said she was so useful that she would
bring in $1 million monthly. She and her daughter Djamila may
be involved in counterfeiting currency, but she is certainly "famous
for forging customs declarations".
The Panel, composed of three Africans, an American and Swiss,
stated that it was "alerted" to the extent of prevalent fraud
when Ms. Gulamali responded that "in this business everybody does
that". Clearly, there are several powerful unmentioned players.
Yet, the clarity of the Panel's report and its obvious focus is
a valuable firm first step.
|