African Minerals - Re: AMI Stream Log - In his business dealings, Timis...

In his business dealings, Timis seems drawn to fragile, post-conflict states in West Africa. Another of his companies, African Petroleum, has offshore oil exploration leases in Sierra Leone and neighbouring Liberia.[x] Timis’ website carries claims about the corporate social responsibility and largesse of his companies, many of which have been refuted by the research of NMJD.[xi] The company benefits from numerous tax exemptions. [xii] It also lavishes money on Sierra Leonean media that generally sing Timis’ praises.[xiii] Frank Timis is not plagued by false modesty; his website contains lofty tributes from other people he has charmed over the years. Minkailu Mansaray, now Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, is quoted as saying, “The most heartening aspect of Mr Timis’ involvement in our country is the widespread and vigorous social responsibility programmes he has installed at African Minerals.” “Heartening” seems an odd word to describe Timis’ record of social responsibility in Sierra Leone. In April 2012, workers at African Minerals staged a peaceful protest over poor pay and working conditions and the Sierra Leonean police reacted by opening fire, killing one woman and injuring 11 other people.[xiv] An official inquiry by the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone found that the police “subjected the people of Bumbuna to inhuman, cruel and degrading treatment through severe beatings, kicking, molesting” and criticized the cozy but unclear relationship between the Sierra Leone police and the company. [xv] Cozy and unclear relationships and business dealings seem to have worked well for Frank Timis in Sierra Leone.