News from Africa

Mbalam-Nabeba Iron

Possible Cause of Project Delays in listing

The Mbalam-Nabeba iron ore project, a key mining venture on the border of Cameroon and Congo, is facing significant delays due to an internal political rivalry between Cameroon’s Secretary General, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, and Justice Minister, Laurent Esso. Arbitration proceedings between Cameroon and Australia’s Sundance Resources at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) have been stalled as Esso refuses to act on instructions from Ngoh Ngoh, who is linked to the presidential office.

This power struggle has resulted in a stalemate that is preventing the resolution of legal disputes surrounding the project. The conflicting political interests between these two powerful figures have paralyzed decision-making, delaying the arbitration process and impeding the project’s overall development.The rivalry has further obstructed the involvement of mining companies AustSino and Bestway, key stakeholders in the Mbalam-Nabeba project.

Both companies have been affected by the deadlock, which is holding up progress on the arbitration required to settle legal and commercial matters crucial for advancing the mining operation. As a result, the delays not only impact the arbitration but also the potential for unlocking the economic benefits of this project, which holds significant value for both Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. Until the political impasse is resolved, stakeholders’ ability to move forward with the project will remain severely hindered.

For more information on the details of this political rivalry and its implications, you can access the full article

(https://www.africaintelligence.com/central-africa/2024/10/14/mbalam-nabeba-iron-ngoh-ngoh-and-esso-rivalry-lies-behind-obstructed-arbitration,110326847-art).