Ambassador Vea has had new talks in Kinshasa, this time with the Foreign Minister, Justice Minister and the Environment Minister. He states to the radio that they are closer to a transfer.
President Kabila was in Kinshasa recently, and according to two different sources he’s given the order to transfer them to Kinshasa. If this is true, it hasn’t happened yet.
According to VG there is a trial going on between lawyer Aleuwa and the widow. He has apparently demanded one of the houses and money. This is tragic of course, but also typical for the entire case. Aleuwa was the governor before, and friends with the current governor. There is a possibility that they have delayed the transfer until now. Tragic as it is, if Aleuwa wins the case a transfer could be in his best interest, because the deeds to the houses won’t be handed over before the boys are transferred. In that case he will not get the house or any money before they are transferred.
Bøås have been out again with his speculations. He has missed on many things, but he is right that there is a lot of unpredictability in Congo!
There will be a solution, and the Foreign Ministry is really working with the case now. We can’t give up, sooner or later there has to be a breakthrough, and an actual transfer.
Knut Moland, March 19th 2011
