Title: The eventful sale of the Congolese president’s Falcon 7X: a look back at a controversial auction
Introduction :
The auction of the Falcon 7X, the presidential plane of the Congolese head of state Denis Sassou-Nguesso, has caused a lot of ink to flow. Seized at Bordeaux airport in June 2020, this aircraft was sold in France on Tuesday October 3 for a sum of around seven million euros. This sale, which resulted from a long dispute between the President of Congo and the Lebanese businessman Mohsen Hojeij, sparked strong reactions and raised questions about the procedures initiated. In this article, we will return to the key elements of this affair which attracted the attention of many observers.
The circumstances of the sale:
The Congolese presidential plane, adorned with the country’s flag and exclusively reserved for the use of the president, was sold in a few seconds to an anonymous buyer. This speed of the transaction angered the authorities in Brazzaville, who expressed their dissatisfaction to the French ambassador. According to Thierry Moungalla, spokesperson for the Congolese government, the procedures initiated for decades against the State of Congo are considered vexatious and in conflict with common law and usual diplomatic practices.
The immunity of the presidential plane:
One of the main demands of the Congolese government concerns the immunity which the presidential plane should benefit from. As an asset under state sovereignty, it should be protected like an embassy or any other sovereign asset. Congolese authorities believe the auction was curious, with only one bidder, and that the plane was sold well below its true value. The Congolese state plans to pursue legal remedies to assert its rights, but on the other hand denies accusations that it tried to discreetly buy the aircraft.
The origins of the dispute:
The dispute between the Congolese president and businessman Mohsen Hojeij dates back to the 1980s. The latter had won several public works contracts in the Republic of Congo, but following the deterioration of the country’s economic situation, only part of the work had been settled. Since then, Mr. Hojeij’s company has obtained two convictions from the International Court of Arbitration in Paris, forcing the Congo to pay him compensation. Over the years, the sum claimed by the businessman has increased considerably to reach almost 1.7 billion euros.
Conclusion :
The auction of the Congolese president’s Falcon 7X was marked by twists and turns and strong reactions. The authorities of Brazzaville denounce the vexatious procedures and contest the legitimacy of this sale. The dispute between President Sassou-Nguesso and Lebanese businessman Mohsen Hojeij raises questions about the management of public works contracts and financial responsibilities. It remains to be seen what the next steps will be in this affair which continues to be talked about.