Litigation Timelines, page-451

The issue facing AVZ is that the political decision-makers in the DRC are caught in a dilemma. On one hand, there's pressure from the rulings of the ICC and ICSID, while on the other hand, there's the risk of being exposed by the distributors of the brown paper bags if they go against them. Undoubtedly, the distributors of the brown paper bags have evidence in the form of recorded conversations or even video footage showing which political decision-makers have accepted such 'gifts.' So, there needs to be a way to give the recipients an escape route to avoid being exposed, preventing any retreat afterward. Nigel will be aware of this and is likely willing to strike a deal if it aligns with the interests of AVZ and its shareholders.

With the final rulings from ICC and ICSID, the cards will be definitively laid out on the table for negotiations. The deal must not heavily disadvantage AVZ, but it also needs to leave enough meat on the bone for the Chinese, as otherwise they may expose the recipients of the brown paper bags, likely leading to a political earthquake in the DRC and leaving both AVZ and the Chinese with nothing for years to come.

Let's hope for a fair settlement in the interest of AVZ shareholders, although the corrupt politicians truly deserve to pay the price for their personal greed. But life isn't a wish fulfillment.