Israeli Arms Deal with Congo's Presidential Guard Collapses Amid Payment Dispute

An Israeli arms manufacturer, EMTAN, based in Karmiel, sold over $1.5 million worth of assault rifles, pistols, and ammunition to the Democratic Republic of Congo's Presidential Guard in 2023. However, the Congolese government failed to pay for a portion of the ammunition, citing defective products and non-compliance, with some of the ammunition reportedly returned to Israel at a significant logistical cost.

The dispute has surfaced in legal documents related to a business conflict between EMTAN, controlled by businessman Reuven Zada, and SYN-RG-Ai, the company that brokered the deal. EMTAN has filed a lawsuit for 4.5 million shekels against SYN-RG-Ai for unpaid debts. According to company records, SYN-RG-Ai is partly owned by retired Major General Roni Numa, former commander of the IDF's Central Command, along with businessmen Avihai Stolero and Avraham Cohen, who serves as CEO.

SYN-RG-Ai, which presents itself as a technology company specializing in information and communication solutions, became involved in the Congo project in 2022. EMTAN claims that despite its usual practice of requiring full upfront payment, it trusted SYN-RG-Ai's representatives, described as high-ranking reservist officers who appeared to be wealthy and influential.

The shipments, which included MZ-4 and MZ-15 assault rifles, MZ-10 machine guns, Ramon pistols, laser designators, telescopic sights, night vision systems, and millions of rounds of ammunition, were sent between June and November 2023. Invoices indicated the recipient as the "Presidency of the Republic of Congo, Palace of the Nation, Kinshasa." Despite the delivery of weapons, the Congolese government did not make full payment. SYN-RG-Ai then requested to return some ammunition to EMTAN to offset the debt.

In a December 2024 email, SYN-RG-Ai's CEO requested EMTAN's assistance in returning ammunition stored at a Presidential Guard base in Congo, citing the government's non-payment. The CEO stated that SYN-RG-Ai's logistics partner, ICL, would handle the complex return process, including packaging, transport, and obtaining necessary permits in both countries. SYN-RG-Ai sought credit for the returned ammunition against its debt to EMTAN, which it claimed was over $1 million after having paid approximately $490,000.

SYN-RG-Ai responded by stating that EMTAN is concealing the fact that SYN-RG-Ai has paid over ten million dollars to date, exceeding what is owed given EMTAN's conduct. SYN-RG-Ai intends to file a counterclaim for inflated prices, defective products, and other breaches of contract. They also claim the lawsuit against their shareholders is baseless and an attempt to damage their reputation to exert pressure. SYN-RG-Ai suggests the lawsuit is a misuse of legal proceedings stemming from a commercial dispute, possibly aimed at harming a shareholder after his company won a major IDF tender that EMTAN lost, a tender EMTAN's subsequent legal challenge failed to overturn.