Guinea’s crackdown on illegal gold mining in the country’s northeast has triggered an exodus of foreign nationals, with more than 8,000 Burkinabe reportedly affected by the enforcement measures, according to a preliminary count cited by AFP.
Guinean authorities announced on November 2 a ban on artisanal gold mining in several areas of the northeast, alongside the permanent deployment of defence and security forces to enforce the restrictions.
The measures have prompted Burkina Faso to coordinate assistance for its nationals affected by the crackdown.
Burkina Faso’s Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, met his Malian counterpart in Bamako to discuss support for those leaving Guinea and arrangements for their return.
According to the minister, approximately 100 buses had been mobilised for the operation, with 50 already on their way to Mali. Reception centres had also been prepared in Burkina Faso.
Mr Sana criticised the Guinean and Malian authorities for allegedly failing to notify Burkina Faso in advance of the measures. He also reported injuries among Burkinabe nationals, including some people who sustained gunshot wounds.
Mali, which has become a transit point for nationals leaving Guinea, has activated its reception arrangements to assist people arriving from the country.
AFP reported that Guinean authorities had not commented on the population movements at the time of publication.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that thousands of Burkinabe nationals continue to work at gold mining sites in neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia.
In a related development, Guinea’s Presidency announced the dismissal of about 20 prefectural officials following the expulsions.
The developments highlight the cross-border implications of Guinea’s efforts to clamp down on illegal artisanal gold mining, particularly for foreign nationals who depend on the activity for their livelihoods.
Credit: Connection Ivoirienne
