Congo-Brazzaville: the investigation into the Pandora Papers agitates civil society and the political world
Audio 02:15
Denis Sassou Nguesso REUTERS - OLIVIA ACLAND
By: Loïcia Martial
3 min
The names of the Republic of the Congo and some of its leaders come up in almost all investigations related to financial malfeasance: Global Witness, Biens ill acquis, Panama Papers.
The latest is that of the Pandora Papers where President Denis Sassou Nguesso is mentioned by name.
In Brazzaville, languages are loosened about this investigation carried out by investigative journalists.
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President Denis Sassou Nguesso is accused of having concealed assets in an offshore company created in 1998 in the British Virgin Islands.
Economist and statistician before being politician, Clément Miérassa has on its home office, a document containing the revelations of Pandora Papers: "
We realize that we really have problems because the rulers of our countries are in extremely dangerous situations. They are in paradoxical situations speaking of development and adopting anti-development attitudes.
"
Clément Miérassa welcomes the approach of the investigative journalists behind the investigation. He calls on the Parliament and the justice of his country to take up the case: "
As far as I am concerned, I think that to shed light, the Congolese Parliament must open a judicial investigation against the President of the Republic and that will allow the Congo to be appeased. And I also think that justice should follow suit.
"
Coordinator of the circle of human rights and development (CDHD), Roch Euloge Nzobo expresses all his desolation over the tax evasion of which the Congo is said to be a victim: "
I am also sorry to see that the Republic of Congo always comes back, every time there is information related to tax evasion, embezzlement of public funds.
This at the international level.
This increasingly gives a bad image of our country and our rulers.
That's a shame.
"
"
Where would the president have drawn to set up such an offshore company
?"
"
However, for Serge Ikiemi, professor of economics at the public university and very close to the Congolese president, the investigation into the Pandora Papers has nothing to do with: “
This investigation is doubtful both in substance and in form. . It is likely to tarnish the image of a statesman whose aura is well established. We are talking about an offshore company that he would have created in 1998. However, everyone knows that in 1998 the Congo emerges from a socio-political war and its coffers are empty. Where would the president have drawn to set up such an offshore company
? "
This investigation, says Serge Ikiemi, aims to undermine the efforts of the Congo, which has resumed language with the IMF.
An argument supported by Lionel Ngodjo Louvosso who heads an association close to power and evokes "
entertainment
":
"
For us, there is no true basis, there is no scientific demonstration on these allegations.
We don't need entertainment, we need focus.
"
The Congolese head of state has threatened to prosecute all those who repeat these accusations without providing the slightest proof.
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Congo Brazzaville
Pandora Papers
Panama Papers