-Business accords signed with Cabinda and Southern Cameroons but limited information on specifics
By Ajong Mbapndah L
Yes Kilimanjaro Capital did sign business deals with the governments of Southern Cameroon and that of Cabinda, says Zulfikar Rashid President of Kilimanjaro Capital in response to a questionnaire sent to him via its Legal Counsel Dr Jonathan Levy. The issue is Southern Cameroons is still fighting from the restoration of its statehood from the Republic of Cameroon and Cabinda is doing same from the Republic of Angola. This is no problem at all to the folks at Kilimanjaro Capital as investing in troubled and distressed regions of the continent is part of their business strategy.
Pressed for more answers after the questionnaire was answered, Dr Jonathan Levy while confirming that the business accords were signed, would not provide specifics on who signed on behalf of Southern Cameroons or how much the business accords were worth.” Those who signed on behalf of Southern Cameroons are well known faces in its struggle and the public will come to know them at the right moment” Levy said. A partner in the Washington D.C Law Firm Brimstone & Co., Levy has represented Cabinda several cases before. More developments will be released in the weeks ahead with greater detail Levy said.
May we start by asking you to to introduce Kilimanjaro Capital to us, where it is based and what it does?
Zulfikar Rashid:Kilimanjaro Capital Ltd. is a private Canadian holding company based in Calgary. It invests in disputed and distressed African resources. It also support legitimate self-determination movements as a financial stakeholder in the future of these emerging nations. Both Southern Cameroons and Cabinda have legitimate and recognized claims to self-determination.
There is news that Kilimanjaro Capital has signed investment accords with the government of Southern Cameroons, true or false?
Zulfikar Rashid:Yes, this is what our press release states.
What are the major components of the investment accords and may we know where it was signed and who signed on behalf of the government of Southern Cameroons?
Zulfikar Rashid:That information is partially confidential. As to the Southern Cameroonian side, the information is under embargo until the SC Government makes it public due to certain issues with the Biya regime and ongoing retaliation by their operatives.
So how much did was given to the Southern Cameroons government from Kilimanjaro Capital?
Zulfikar Rashid:This is not disclosed but the payment was significant.
Considering that “Southern Cameroons” has no structural government on the ground and the lead organization which fronts its case the Southern Cameroons National Council has several people laying claim to leadership, what made you convinced that you were signing accords with a legitimate government?
Zulfikar Rashid:The individuals involved are well known leaders and have been part of SCNC, SCAPO, SCYL, and the Ambazonian movements.
If we may also ask, how did you get involved with what you call the Southern Cameroons government, were you approached with investment opportunities that are there or your company found out about the opportunities and approached the Southern Cameroons folks?
Zulfikar Rashid:This was an initiative by Kilimanjaro.
We also understand that similar accords were signed with the government of Cabinda; can you tell us more on that as well?
Zulfikar Rashid::We would refer you to the release that was issued after the signing of the accords with the government of Cabinda.
As legitimate as their cases maybe our understanding of the present context is that Southern Cameroons is currently part of the Republic of Cameroon, and Cabinda is part of Angola, are these accords a publicity stunt to let the world take serious two potential time bombs or how does Kilimanjaro Capital expect to reap the benefits of its investments?
Zulfikar Rashid:Both Southern Cameroons and Cabinda expect to achieve self determination in the near term. The Republic of Cabinda has been in existence since 1975 and the independence movement in Southern Cameroons at least as long. Self determination and civil society depend on business relationships, ideological movements in Africa are no longer viable. Economics and civil society not force of arms determine the future, in each case there is strong support for referendum on independence.
May we know other parts of the continent you operate in and what next for Kilimanjaro Capital accords with Casamance, Biafra…..?
Zulfikar Rashid:We have been contacted by groups from Biafra and Zimbabwe among others and are evaluating these opportunities.
