Glencore executives charged with corruption linked to Cameroon

London, UK – A major development in the fight against corruption has unfolded as the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has charged several former Glencore executives, including billionaire Alex Beard, with bribery and corruption related to the company’s oil operations in West Africa. The charges stem from allegations of corrupt payments made to secure oil contracts in countries including Cameroon.

The SFO alleges that Glencore operated two payment counters in the UK and Geneva to facilitate these illicit payments, and even used private jets to transport cash to countries in the region. As the legal proceedings unfold, it is anticipated that the identities of Cameroonian officials involved in these corrupt deals will be revealed.

Barrister Akere Muna who revealed earlier that some Cameroonian authorities were involved in this corrupt practices has called for a peaceful march to demand transparency and accountability, urging the UK government to disclose the names of the implicated Cameroonian officials.

The charges against Glencore come as Cameroon grapples with economic challenges, including a high debt burden. While the government seeks to address its financial situation, concerns remain about the impact of corruption on the country’s development.

The longtime Director General of Cameroon’s National Hydrocarbon Company, SNH, Adolf Moudiki, reacted to the recent development, revealing that the SNH has deposited a legal document at the Special Criminal Tribunal in Yaounde pending investigations to unveil Cameroonian officials involved in the Glencore-gate.

By September 2024, more names will be revealed, including Cameroonians involved in the contracts that saw billions of FCFA exchange hands.