Albert Yuma Mulimbi, Chairman of the Gécamines Board of Directors, invited the Government of the newly invested FCC – CACH Coalition to take back the Cobalt issue. He made this recommendation during the activities of the Makutano International Economic Forum held from 7 to 9 September 2019 in Kinshasa.

Albert Yuma justifies this call by a bitter observation he made. Indeed, he told participants

« Although cobalt had become one of the most coveted minerals in the world, its price crashed immediately after it was classified as a strategic mineral by our Government. How do you explain this? » he wondered.

Faced with this bitter situation and the need not to lose the unique opportunity that this mineral represents for the country, the Chairman of Gécamines’ Board of Directors called on the National Executive to make cobalt an absolute national priority.

This implies the creation of the necessary conditions and the appropriate framework so that prices are not affected by policies dictated outside the country, even though the DRC is the world’s largest producer and holds the largest reserves.

And on the other hand, the need to ensure that people do not pay the price of this market for the illegal supply and export of cobalt, which still represents between 20 and 30% of national production.

"Création d'un fond autour du cobalt, qui nous permettrais de dégager au bout d'une vingtaine d'années 20 milliards de dollars."

Albert YUMA.#Makutano5

— Sultani Makutano (@SultaniMakutano) September 6, 2019

Yuma suggests the establishment of a fund as do all countries that have significant natural resources. Thus, he insisted, this fund should be supplemented by resources from the marketing of this strategic mineral.

It will also be used as collateral for bond issues, making it possible over a period of ten years to raise around $20 billion to be allocated to priority projects.

Only then can the Congolese people finally enjoy and enjoy the wealth of their country.

Nadine FULA