Passport scandals in the DRC - Semlex between political manipulation and fierce competitors

--> Latest news: 31.07.2018  -To this day Belgian Justice has not find any charges against Semlex, who is then presumed innocent. <--

The SEMLEX group, an independent Belgian group and expert in biometrics, finds itself at the heart of accusations - hitherto unverified - of corruption and money laundering concerning the Congolese passport. The company then unknown to the public, was a few months ago in the middle of a "media bashing" fed by various rumors launched by the Reuters news agency, shared in the Belgian and international press.

Are these rumors of corruption related to the recent political tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Belgium?

A counter-investigation to see more clearly in the current affairs on Congolese and Comorian passports, their obtaining and the role of the supplier, Semlex Europe.

Latest news: FORBES magazine has just published an article on the case of Congolese passports, a sharp analysis to try to understand the scope of the "Semlex case", recalling that the Belgian group has for the moment is the subject of no condemnation on the part of justice.
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A FIERCE COMPETITION

Firms specialized in biometrics today, unknown to the general public, know each other well. The most prestigious companies take part in identity security shows such as Interpol and ICAO. The conferences organized by the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) thus bring together international experts each year to produce secure identity documents and more broadly for airport security, such as the French Gemalto and the Imprimerie Nationale. Entrust Datacard, Surys, X Infotech, the Belgian Semlex or Morpho (now IDEMIA).

These different experts are thus regularly competing during calls for tenders for the production of identity documents or other related services (network census systems, airport security gates, etc.).

Starting in 2014, various professionals in the field of identity documents were competing to win the contract for the production of the Democratic Republic of Congo's passport.

This contract was of course highly coveted and the companies rushed to offer their services to the DRC. At the end of 2015, the SEMLEX company won the contract. The company has also announced shortly after in an official statement explaining the peculiarities of the new passport, an electronic passport and biometric ET, item put forward by the company because it makes the documents virtually tamper-proof. We understand that Semlex stands out by its experience (more than 20 years in the field of biometrics), its pioneering role in Africa where the Belgian company introduced biometrics, and its contracts very "customer friendly" with the asset not negligible pre-finance projects. But we will come back to it later.

The inauguration of the new biometric system and the Congolese passport took place on November 10, 2015 in the presence of President Kabila. But we learn however from the magazine Congo Panorama that the deadlines had been very tight. Indeed, Albert Karaziwan explained in an interview with the magazine that the negotiations lasted more than a year, going "up to the risk of delaying the implementation of the system in relation to deadlines", deadlines imposed by the ICAO (ICAO is the International Civil Aviation Organization, Ed).

THREATS AND CHANGES OF A THIRD PARTY

However, the "success story" Semlex has recently been tainted by various "scandals" and rumors accusing it of winning the markets not quite legal way.

The boss of Semlex informed us that this media storm would have started following the threats of a third party having tried to blackmail his company already in 2016. In a press article of CONGO PANORAMA (http://www.congovirtuel.org/ images / MAGCP23 / MAG-CONGO-PANORAMA_23.pdf) published in March 2017, it presaged judicial repercussions. CONGO PANORAMA had asked the company manager to confirm the rumor that SEMLEX would have doubled an intermediary in the contract in the DRC, and that it would threaten to drag the company to court. Albert Karaziwan's response was as follows: "I am aware of this case and I tell you right away that we are facing an attempt to extort money by blackmail. It was a person who had assisted in steering the project and who pretended to be a consultant of the State, while the State (The Congolese State, Ed), thought that he was our agent ... " This agent would have subsequently demanded a "huge" fee from the passport company, which was not bound to him by any agreement in the contract signed between it and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mr. Karaziwan continues: "This gentleman tried a lawsuit in Belgium via his lawyer, but the case remained unfulfilled since it was a pure blackmail. ".

But others also had interest in fueling these rumors.

ZETES AND ITS INFLUENT FRIENDS

Zetes, a Belgian company like Semlex, has also offered its services to DR Congo in 2015. Although Semlex won the contract, many assume that ZETES would continue to ogle the lost market. Explanations.

Zetes was originally a company specializing in industrial marking (barcodes and QR-codes), and more recently started manufacturing identity documents. It is thus in contract with Belgium, Israel, Ivory Coast and Gambia.

According to the Congolese magazine Congo Panorama, the Belgian Zetes, still hope to win other markets still free in Congo (as including the national identity card, market even more important than that of passports in terms of production). Some sources argue that Zetes would try to do this to play its relations to discredit Semlex while he has been working for 2 years for DR Congo. Indeed Zetes would have relations in Africa and especially with Belgian policies, as stated by Soft International: "A surf on the net reveals that it is very close to the Belgian statesman who had succeeded in 2004 -2005, to make it the official supplier of identification and voter registration equipment by the IEC, and in 2011 of the CENI, He spied on our electoral center (...) ".

In addition to the competition, which is finally normal in this type coveted contract, various blackmail and intimidation began against Semlex in 2016, as mentioned by his CEO, Albert Karaziwan. He explained to the Congo Panorama reporter that he was aware of rumors circulating about Semlex, aimed at destabilizing the company. He was, however, calm, satisfied with the smooth running of the project, the training of the agents and the creation of employment within the Congo. He also mentioned a person who had been treated as a Semlex agent by the Congolese authorities and, to that end, paid double fees. He then threatened Semlex with defiling his reputation in the press.

The problems did not stop there for the Belgian Semlex. The famous British news agency REUTERS, in April then in December 2017, published a prosecution investigation, accusing Semlex of not being put in competition for the contract in the DRC, to produce a passport too expensive, "among the most dear ones of the world ". The survey as we will see is unfortunately incomplete and does not cite any reliable source.

But let's go back to REUTERS. Who had an interest in spreading rumors via the news agency, which is not used to dealing with this type of topic?

According to the Congo Panorama newspaper, the "Semlex affair" closely followed by Reuters, could not be unrelated to "unfair" competition, and specifies that the context lends itself particularly to a public lynching. Indeed, the DRC is planning a general census of the population: the security experts will be put again in competition to propose new equipment appropriate to the census.

It is therefore easy to understand that if the media bashing against Semlex (and its CEO Albert Karaziwan) continues, it will be particularly profitable for its competitors during the next call for tender in the DRC. Also according to Congo Panorama, Reuters would have some friends anxious to do business in the DRC, and these would be his main sources of information. There is every reason to believe that Zetes would have a special relationship with journalist David Lewis, who praises the company's merits as much as it diminishes those of its competitor Semlex.

THE CONGOLESE PASSPORTS, A MARKET CONVOITE

Already in March 2017, rumors of "cronyism" between the Congolese state, "even with the presidential family" and Semlex had emerged, as mentioned in CONGO PANORAMA. The magazine had then questioned Albert Karaziwan on this subject, who had answered that it was backbiting, recalling that the Belgian expert Semlex had faced a "fair and honest" competition when obtaining the contract with the DRC. He added that the negotiations lasted a certain time (Ed: more than a year), and finally resulted in a concession contract. He said that the contract subsequently signed between Semlex and the Congolese state has been validated by the national regulatory authority (ARMP). A receipt of the regulatory fee has thus been issued to SEMLEX.

Indeed, we were able to note during this investigation that companies recognized in the industry as Semlex, such as GEMALTO, ZETES and OBERTHUR had also made an offer to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Belgian newspapers The evening and La Libre report that "(...) According to Reuters, the Belgian competitor of Semlex, the company Zetes (which produces Belgian identity cards, Ed), had made an offer in 2014 to 28.50 dollars piece. " At first and without being an expert in the field, many people close to the file have considered these figures carefully. According to a source who worked on these tenders, "this offer from Zetes has been taken out of context. "Zetes has indeed made an offer at an interesting price, having varied during the negotiations; but this price included that Zetes obtains more than the production of passports. Zetes offered this low price provided it was awarded the contract for other Congolese identity documents, such as the national identity card. "

The group Zetes has a habit of remaining unclear in the prices it offers. Indeed on the election market, the French group Gemalto was chosen a few years ago by the Congo, with a contract worth $ 48 million; the weekly Jeune Afrique affirmed that, in comparison, Zetes signed a contract amounting to $ 200 million with the same country. However, Zetes told the paper that this $ 200 million would be "unrealistic", without communicating the actual amount proposed at the time.

SEMLEX RESPONDS TO CHARGES

Let's go back to the charges against Semlex, launched in 2017.

At first, and despite media pressure, Semlex decided to continue its work normally and not to respond to rumors about it. But in December 2017, after heavier accusations from Reuters, Semlex responded in an official statement, explaining the type of contract with the DRC and the process of obtaining the Comoran passport.

This media bashing, which began in April 2017, has the particularity of having given the floor only obscure "close" to the file, always having a clear opinion against the producer of SEMLEX identity documents. What is the version of the main interested party, namely SEMLEX?

According to REUTERS, Albert Karaziwan was approached several times by his journalists without getting an answer. So we decided to try an approach from the CEO of Semlex. Against all odds, this one answered us within 24 hours and could thus bring elements to our investigation of this day, in particular vis-à-vis its silence towards REUTERS: "It is not a refusal total to collaborate with the press. We would be delighted to bring our point of view on this matter which affects us directly. We provided information to Reuters on our types of contracts in the Congo and the Comoros, and responded in a statement (note: December 28, 2017 press release). But you are well placed to know that journalists write what they want when they have decided to discredit you. They therefore decided to truncate the communiqué, removing the passages contradicting them. "The passages to which Mr. Karaziwan refers affect the Comoros and especially the CONGO, which explain the price of passports, price questioned by the press even today. The release of the Belgian company (http://www.semlex.com/actualites/) recalled in December 2017 that "unlike its competitors, SEMLEX EUROPE works mainly by BOT contracts (Editor's note: English, Built, Operate , Transfer proposed by Semlex to adapt to the financial situations of the countries, a model subsequently adopted by other passport producers such as ZETES, its Belgian competitor.This means that no purchase price or investment, the partner country is requested, all the necessary local costs and infrastructure being financed by SEMLEX EUROPE in return for a fee in the form of a fixed percentage of the public price of identity documents for a limited period. at the end of this, all local infrastructures are given free of charge to the country concerned, including training provided to local staff to continue to use them properly. " Unfortunately, added Albert Karaziwan, this information has so far not been published in the press.

To complete our survey, we wanted to check whether transparency on the type of contract offered by SEMLEX was total. It turns out that by going on their website, 2 types of contracts are indeed proposed by the company, one said "for sale simple" and the other in "B.O.T. "(Http://www.semlex.com/solutions/#tab-3).

According to the documents that we have been able to consult, Semlex has therefore concluded "BOT" contracts with the Comoros Islands as well as with the Congo. In these contracts, Semlex advances a considerable amount of money for the launching of the projects, and in return, is subsequently paid for some of the documents distributed by the State. Moreover, at the end of the contract, the States benefit from local infrastructures and training of free staff.

These explanations on the types of contracts offered by SEMLEX, easily accessible on the internet, are however never highlighted by REUTERS or other newspapers containing the information of this one. Moreover, according to our sources, the British press agency would have its interests on the African continent, having been recently bought by South African mercenaries.

But the investigation against Semlex does not stop there, takes a new turn in January 2018.

BUSINESS CONTINUATION IN 2018

On January 17, 2018, the Brussels headquarters of SEMLEX EUROPE, an independent company renowned for the development of identification systems, a pioneer in the field on the African continent, was the subject of a search in the morning. According to our sources, the police officers entered the building around 9am.

Strangely enough, several witnesses at the time on Brugmann Avenue were able to see on the morning of January 17, two journalists not bearing any sign of belonging to a particular newspaper, but clearly identifiable by their professional equipment. Most disturbingly, these journalists arrived at Semlex's offices at the same time as the police team.

This search followed numerous rumors of corruption and money laundering affecting the company since April 2017. These rumors were first launched by Reuters journalist David LEWIS and then relayed in Belgium by Philippe ENGELS, a journalist. for Medor.

A CONTROLLED INVESTIGATION

Contrary to what Mr Engels suggested during his television broadcast on the Belgian channel RTBF at the end of December 2017, during his investigation in the Comoros (assuming that it actually took place), this "field reporter" did not contact no local manager of the company SEMLEX in the Comoros, which he accuses yet of all the evils. Indeed, a local SEMLEX official confirmed to us when we asked him if a journalist from REUTEURS, MEDOR or any other newspaper would have approached SEMLEX during his investigation: "(...) neither I nor any of our employees in the Comoros has been contacted by journalists ". Yet Mr ENGELS says he went personally to the Comoros ... So there is reason to doubt the credibility of his field investigation, which seems very superficial.

Mr. LEWIS has left many areas of shadows in his first investigation in April 2017, then divulge a number of false information (or "fake news") in other slanderous articles published in December and last January as we will see later.

THE CONGOLESE PASSPORT: AN UNJUSTIFIED PRICE?

To the question of whether the price of the Congolese passport would be justified or not, we can answer that, yes, this price was in any case decided officially and legally with the Congolese authorities, and that the company SEMLEX proposed in its adapting to the request of the State while ensuring to enter into its expenses. The Semlex spokesperson also added that in many countries, passports with a lower level of security were offered at a higher price than the Congolese passport.

But is it "one of the most expensive in the world," as some newspapers have suggested?

According to the weekly Jeune Afrique, the Congolese passport, although it costs 164 euros, is not the most expensive in Africa! The most expensive passports in Africa are, according to Jeune Afrique, that of Chad (the most expensive of Africa at 228 euros each), followed by the passport of Congo, Burundi and Cameroon (114 euros).

It must be taken into consideration that African passports (as in Europe) do not always have the same level of security, and are not produced by the same firms. The map on the Jeune Afrique website is particularly informative in that it specifies the price of piece-rate passports and whether they are biometric or not.

Of course, biometrics is not the only element that defines the price of a passport. Costs related to a biometric comparison system are obviously high, but other factors come into play, such as the type of contract with the State, the type of passport desired (diplomatic passports, or ordinary will not have the same cost, and the price also increases if a passport is requested urgently).

Nevertheless, this analysis of Jeune Afrique teaches us that not only the Congolese passport is not the most expensive in Africa, but that it is cheaper than the Chadian passport (164 against 228 euros each), which does not propose biometric security.

Why, while the Chadian passport is much more expensive, the Belgian authorities and media are concerned about the price of the Congolese passport? Is there still some Belgian interference with the Democratic Republic of Congo?

This is clearly implied by the local magazine "Congo Panorama", which speaks of an "interest that borders on pressure of all kinds to bring Kinshasa to let go of the ballast", and in this way, "to satisfy certain Western direct or indirect expectations ". He added that the Congolese authorities have repeatedly complained about these interference outside the internal affairs of the DRC, and have regularly denounced them.

In addition, the Democratic Republic of Congo recently announced certain "measures" concerning the Belgian development agency ENABEL, which was to operate "directly and significantly in favor of the Congolese population". The Belgian Foreign Affairs communiqué regrets the decision of Kinshasa and affirms its willingness to play a role in the next Congolese elections, and is in favor of "credible" elections in Congo.

ILLEGAL PRACTICES OF THE BELGIAN PRESS

One thing is sure, as we move forward in this case, the press plays a central role. Indeed the Belgian and foreign media have seized the case with shock headlines.

Le Soir, a Belgian newspaper headlined: "DR CONGO: MONEY OF PASSPORTS SIPHONED BY A BELGIAN COMPANY", Le Monde announced "THE BIOMETRIC PASSPORTS SCANDAL TRACK LEADS TO CLAN KABILA", while Africa News threatened: "CASE PASSPORTS: HEADS WILL FALL".

Did someone warn the press that there would be a search that morning? This would not be the first time there would be a leak of this kind. This could be considered a detail, except that in this case we are in a context where the attacked company, SEMLEX, is always presumed innocent until proven guilty, and that the investigation is supposed to be confidential. Some people consider today this event as a serious burr of the press, which if it was informed of this search, acted illegally by being present and by diffusing confidential images. These photos were shared the next day on the Twitter pages of the magazines "7sur7" and "Médor", small newspapers peddling mainly gossip or sports articles (Médor has the specialty sports deciphering but sometimes ventures to talk politics, but n is not a reference in this area).

These abuses and false information ("fake news" in English) by the press being more and more frequent and thus trivialized, even agencies of international fame like REUTERS do not escape it. In this context, let us recall that the French president, Emmanuel MACRON, expressed the will to establish a law against these "FAKE NEWS".

WHO HANDLES THE PRESS?

This is a question that we are entitled to ask. As we saw above, Albert KARAZIWAN evoked during an interview for the Congolese magazine "CONGO PANORAMA" in March 2017 the threats of a Congolese agent who would not then have been brought to justice.

It seems that this master singer, not happy to have seen his complaint dismissed in court, would have contacted journalists with this case that would certainly make noise. Congo, "scheming", Belgian society and "corruption", all the ingredients were indeed gathered to trigger a media hysteria.

In addition, as discussed above, there appears to be a significant link between the media rumors launched in April and again in December 2017 and the search at Semlex's head office on January 17, 2018. Justice seems to grant more than credit that would be necessary to the news agency Reuters which, although recognized in the field of the information, is not apt to judge judicial cases in course and even less to influence Justice.

Would David Lewis and Philippe Engels have been pushed to discredit Semlex on the African market? One can surely wonder.