The story could be straight from a Hollywood movie. On Thursday February 3, a US-licensed private jet lands at Goma airport. According to the local authorities the plane was carrying four ‘businessmen’ (one American, one Frenchman and two Nigerians) holding 6 million US dollars for the purchase of 300 kg of gold.

By Mélanie Gouby, Goma

The plane, alledgedly flying in from a tax haven, was met by a military officer close to ex-rebel leader Bosco Ntaganda. The officer quickly transported the case full of money to one of Ntaganda’s residences. The leader is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) but still enjoys the protection of the Congolese government.

While the cases filled with the precious minerals were being loaded onto the plane, the businessmen and air crew were arrested by the local police. The gold was seized.

Well-informed terminator
As the leader of the former CNDP, a rebel group incorporated into the regular Congolese army in 2009, Ntaganda’s allegiance was not as clear. Was he working with the traffickers or the special services of the Congolese police?

‘The Terminator’, as he is known, is well-informed about every event taking place in Goma. It seems unlikely that an operation of this nature could be carried out without his blessing. That is the opinion of the Congolese government, seizing the opportunity to boast about not handing Ntaganda to the ICJ. “The ICJ warrant is legitimate but, for the time being, we have some reservations. As you can see, Bosco Ntaganda is vital in our fight against private mining by rebel groups”, said government spokesperson Lambert Mendé.

CNDP involvement
According to the national paper Le Potentiel this case clearly illustrates the involvement of the former CNDP in the illegal trafficking of minerals in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The paper claims that 5 of the 6 vanished millions went into Ntaganda’s pockets.

A UN report published last November established the lack of discipline from ex-CNDP soldiers and the failure of their integration into the national armed forces. In fact, relations between the ex-rebel leader and the Congolese government are quite tense. Despite an official promise to assist each other, both camps are still eyeing each other out and increasing the potential for conflict.

Last September, former CNDP battalions defied their redeployment away from Nord and South Kivu, as required by the peace accords signed in 2009. A few weeks later, President Joseph Désiré Kabila strangely decided to prohibit all mining activities in the region. Whether that was an indirect message or not, the decision clearly outlawed the officers’ main source of income. Nonetheless they continued their lucrative mining activities.

A much anticipated trial
The Congolese government has vowed to prosecute all parties involved in the Goma case. The trial is scheduled to start at the local tribunal on completion of investigations. “All Congolese military personnel involved in the case will face the power of the law”, government spokesperson Lambert Mendé declared.

If successful, the investigation will expose the role of international networks in the commercialisation of these “blood minerals” that fuel the conflict in the eastern DRC. Strangely similar to John Le Carré’s novel, Le chant de la mission, this case shows foreign buyers’ determination in acquiring the gold, coltan or cassiterite largely found in Congo. Meanwhile the US-licensed plane, which is apparently wanted by the American DEA for links in drug trafficking cases, remains grounded in Goma.