South Sudan company denies US investor purchased land tract
January, 28, 2009 (WASHINGTON) – A South Sudanese company affiliated with General Paulino Matip Nhial, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), clarified in a statement that it did not sell any land in oil-rich Unity State.
Responding to coverage in other news organizations that referred to the agreement as a purchase, the company clarified that “there was no land sold to an American company … the two companies signed a joint venture agreement to open commercial agricultural schemes throughout South Sudan.”
A U.S. firm, Jarch Management Group, Ltd, had purchased a 70% interest in the Sudanese company Leac for Agriculture and Investment and leased approximately 400,000 acres of land claimed by General Matip, according Philippe Heilberg, the U.S. investor behind the deal.
Jarch has a long history of partnering with General Matip in a bid to exert rights over oil in Unity State, which lies on the disputed border region between North and South Sudan. Heilberg’s firm, which is registered in the Virgin Islands, is managed by commodities traders and former State Department and Central Intelligence Agency officials, among others.
Gordon Buay, who acts as a legal advisor to Leac, referred to the exaggerated media angle, saying “such a misleading report angered the whole African continent and we are hereby clarifying the matter.”
Buay insisted that the agreement between Jarch and Leac does not contravene the law governing companies and business enterprises in the South.
The terms of the deal designate Jarch with the responsibility for soliciting funding from investors while Leac determines the overall implementation of the projects. The two companies intend to summit their joint venture agreement to the South Sudan Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development.
Leac, which is managed by Matip’s son, Gabriel Wiethiang Paulino Matip, said it will acquire “a sizeable piece of land from the government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) or local government land authorities for the purpose of establishing commercial farming….”
The press release from Leac stressed the potential benefits that mechanized agricultural schemes will provide to Sudan.
“There is no doubt that with effective mechanized agriculture, the financial benefits which local and state governments would reap shall triple. The state and local governments shall have budgets for development because of the cash flows from the agricultural schemes the two companies will operate,” said the company.
During Sudan’s civil war, Paulino Matip led a militia among the Bul Nuer, and he was often backed by the government. Subsequently he came to terms with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, signing the Juba Peace Declaration with SPLA leader Salva Kiir Mayadrit in 2007, and he has technically incorporated his forces into SPLA in accordance with the terms of the 2005 peace deal.
(ST)
Gatwech
South Sudan company denies US investor purchased land tract
Bravo Matip’s family,
This “Leac” company will be the first biggest private company in South Sudan. It will turn the whole of South Sudan green and permanently result hunger and maintain food security. I do remember the Vice President’s reply in book written by Western writers, when he was asked what was his dream about the future of South Sudan, he replied, “I see millions of green shoots growing into tall plants to feed the world, I see what we can be when we are free.” Please, Leac agriculture company, make that dream come true in this nation described as basket of fruits. I enjoyed listening to the BBC interview yesterday of the Head of the American company which is merging with the son of Gen. Paulino Matip’s company, when he said the land he is investing in South Sudan is the best in the whole world for agriculture. And he said he would allocate a percentage for communities from the Company’s share profits in terms of building infrastructurs, schools, hospitals, etc.
If all the South Sudanese leaders who have or got their money through both fair means and stealing from Ministry of Finance invest in different fields in the South, we can soon sees a change through the private sector. Unfortunately, some people still think that the war will erupt again and they will run away to Kampala, Nairobi and farther. But people like General Paulino Matip want to invest knowing that they are ready to defend the land should any other war erupt. This company should encourage all those thieves who have stolen GOSS money in millions to return them to the country and invest in their states.
Freedom Fighter
South Sudan company denies US investor purchased land tract
Jayo,
Sounds good brother. I hope they will all listen to you, especially those of Logic, Gatwech, and Nuer. I once said to myself that I should just quit these website because of their useless daily attack on particular community in the South. I really wonder if they know that hatred and tribalism are enemy of hope and prosperity.
ssff
South Sudan company denies US investor purchased land tract
This just proves how the corruption that is going on within South Sudan.Some splm officials should be sacked and the govrnment body reformed to meet the terms of DEMOCRACY or they might as well turn it into a communist sate.if the splm /spla were`nt fighting for the independence of south sudan. revolution i would have promised you roght now. but thank you Dr. John Garang,Sir Riek Machar,and Mr VP Salva Kiir.
Peter
South Sudan company denies US investor purchased land tract
CHECK This Out::::
Organisation: Jarch Management Group
Alternate Name Jarch Management Group LTD
Address Jarch Management Group, Ltd., Akara Building, 24 De Castro Street, Wickhams Cay I, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Tortola
Postal Address
Organisation Type RoW Public Sector
Status
Stated Role This is a US firm, which is registered in the Virgin Islands. it alleges that on February 12, 2003 it signed contracts with the SPLM contracts to explore and exploit oil in Block B in southern Sudan. it further claims that these contracts gave Jarch exclusive rights to all commodity contracts until 2009.
Geographical Focus:::
Notes These company has however not formulate any official demand to Sudan’s National Petroleum Commission (NPC), the country’s top decision-making body on oil matters.
At the same time, the oil block claimed by Jarch (Block B) is already been under dispute for years between the British White Nile (awarded concession by the Southern Sudan government) and the French Total which remains the holder of the rights to explore and exploit oil in this block(Awarded by the Sudan Government Khartoum).
However, the White Nile has been ousted by a decision adopted by the National Petroleum Commission on 17 June 2007. reafirming and upholding total allocation of Block B in southern Sudan.
THanks
Denggak
South Sudan company denies US investor purchased land tract
Bias is unjust and it will never be corrected.
Deng Baak Kuot
South Sudan company denies US investor purchased land tract
This is an outrage if it happens to be true then we are putting our feet into the problem in Zimbabwe, and I agree with my colleague hundred percent. our politicains need to understand that we went to war for twenty-one years becasue our land and no question about. These people who are associated with this company should not be naived to take this decision. If they had made it, they would have to reexamine their decision and Stop it