Portugal must invest Ondongo’s Auction Proceeds in Congo’s Fight Against Corruption

Open Letter to Rita Júdice, Minister of Justice of Portugal

July 12, 2024

Rita Júdice
Honorable Minister of Justice,  
Ministry of Justice  

Lisbon, Portugal  

Dear Minister,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you on behalf of the Congolese civil society and anticorruption organization Sassoufit Collective to respectfully request the allocation of a portion of the proceeds from the recent auction of a luxury villa in Quinta da Marinha to support efforts aimed at combating corruption and promoting civil society initiatives in the Republic of Congo.

As you are aware, the auction of the T7 villa in Cascais, which concluded on July 10, 2024, resulted in the sale of the property for an impressive 11,177,463.49 euros. This significant sum was the outcome of a heated bidding process, reflecting the substantial value of the seized asset. The villa, previously owned by Gilbert Ondongo, Congo’s finance minister, was confiscated during the Rota do Atlântico operation, which unveiled extensive corruption involving Portuguese, Brazilian, and Congolese parties.

The operation revealed a disturbing network of corruption, with extravagant gifts such as ostriches, ponies, a thousand cows, trips, and properties, including an apartment in the Trump International Hotel and Tower Condominium in New York, all aimed at securing lucrative public works contracts in Congo. The arrest of José Veiga and Paulo Santana Lopes, along with the seizure of assets, underscores the far-reaching impact of corruption on international trade and governance.

Given the origins of the funds involved and the ongoing struggle against corruption in the Republic of Congo, it is both fitting and just to allocate a portion of the auction proceeds to Congolese civil society and anticorruption projects. Such an allocation would not only aid in the fight against corruption but also support initiatives that promote transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in Congo.

Specifically, we propose that a percentage of the proceeds, to be determined by your esteemed office, be allocated to established Congolese organizations working tirelessly to combat corruption and strengthen civil society. These funds could be used to:

1. Support Anticorruption Programs: Fund initiatives that investigate and expose corruption, provide legal assistance to victims, and advocate for policy reforms.

2. Promote Transparency and Accountability: Resources for training and capacity-building programs aimed at enhancing the skills of civil society organizations in monitoring and reporting corrupt activities.

3. Strengthen Civil Society: Financial support for grassroots organizations that empower citizens, promote civic education, and encourage public participation in governance.

The Republic of Congo faces significant challenges in its quest to build a fair and just society. By directing a portion of the auction proceeds to these vital efforts, Portugal can demonstrate its commitment to international justice and support for the Congolese people’s fight against corruption.

Moreover, we suggest the establishment of a Portuguese Agency for Democracy. This agency could be tasked with directing most of the frozen funds from corrupt leaders to organizations, training programs, and support initiatives aimed at democratic transitions in the countries of origin of refugees. The agency would serve to organize, train, and assist refugees in their efforts to bring about peaceful democratic change and establish democratic societies in their home countries.

The agency would not only secure an emergency fund to support whistleblowers and local activists but also provide project financing, media creation support, and financial, technical, and logistical assistance to pro-democracy civil society organizations. This initiative would transform refugees from mere victims into active participants in the solution to the very issues that forced them into exile.

Portugal’s honor in welcoming refugees fleeing brutal kleptocracies is commendable, but a longer-term vision is necessary. Cases like the boat people of Cuba and Venezuela or the thousands of Africans dying in the Mediterranean Sea show that emigration serves as a social valve for tyrannies. By empowering these refugees to fight for democratic change in their home countries, Portugal can help create a new, democratic elite committed to human rights and the rule of law.

The Sassoufit Collective believes that the Portuguese courts should have the power to seize these assets and authorize payments to reputable, responsible, and honest civil society organizations through the proposed Portuguese Agency for Democracy. This process would involve a call for proposals to reinforce democracy in the countries of origin, triggering the release of frozen funds to support actions such as financing and organizing free and transparent elections or supporting human rights and democracy organizations.

By adopting this bold idea, Portugal can contribute significantly to accelerating and deepening democratic changes, particularly in Africa. In return, the new democratic elites and newly democratic states would strengthen their friendship with Portugal.

We trust that you will consider this request with the gravity it deserves and look forward to a positive response. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued efforts to uphold justice and promote integrity.

Yours sincerely,

Andrea Ngombet
Executive Director 
Sassoufit Collective