Photo credit, AFP via Getty Images
Guinean authorities have expelled several hundred Burkinabe nationals from artisanal gold mining sites in the Siguiri region, in the northeast of the country, near the border with Mali. This operation, the nature of which is criticized by Ouagadougou, follows a certain number of measures enacted by Conakry.
Following several "inspection and evaluation missions carried out in recent months in the administrative region of Siguiri", and having established "an alarming degradation of the environment, attributable to the anarchic exploitation of mining resources, in particular gold, by artisanal operators who do not respect the regulations in force", the Guinean authorities published a joint press release read on November 2 on national television (RTG) to completely prohibit anarchic exploitation gold.
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The reasons given by Conakry
Photo credit, Getty Images
In its press release signed by five ministers, the Guinean government highlighted the state of degradation caused by the anarchic exploitation of gold which results in:
• “The destruction of soil, agricultural land and plant cover through the use of heavy machinery.
• Pollution and silting of the Niger River, Djoliba, Tinkisso and their tributaries which constitute a wetland of international importance (Niger-Tinkisso Ramsar site).
• The use of dredges and any extraction or washing of ores in the bed or on the banks of watercourses.
• The use of explosives, mercury, cyanide and any other dangerous chemicals.
• Mining prohibited in the beds and banks of watercourses, on agricultural land and pastures, in protected areas and classified forests, as well as around towns and public infrastructures.
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In the same document, the Guinean authorities announced security measures with "a permanent deployment of defense and security forces is engaged in the administrative region of Siguiri to enforce these measures", the association "of units of the armies, the National Gendarmerie, the National Police, customs, the body of nature conservationists, and ensures day and night surveillance", among others.
“Controls are instituted on road and river routes and at entry points to the Siguiri region in order to prevent the transport of heavy machinery, dredges, explosives and chemicals intended for illegal exploitation,” the government said.
“The units and services will verify the identity and legality of the stay of people present on the sites. Foreigners in an irregular situation will be subject to procedures provided for by law,” explained the text.
Conakry also "formally prohibited any citizen from providing, in any capacity whatsoever, protection to a natural or legal person within the framework of this procedure", and warned that "any failure will be punished by disciplinary sanctions, without prejudice to legal proceedings".
The expulsion operation therefore follows these various measures announced by the Guinean authorities on November 2.
The reactions of the Burkinabe authorities
Mandated the President of Faso and the Prime Minister to assess the situation, identify the various problems, and also provide the necessary assistance to their compatriots, the Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana reacted to these expulsion measures and condemned the method used.
“It must be emphasized that this operation, unfortunately, is very deplorable and regrettable because we say that such an operation cannot be launched without planning, and whoever talks about planning also talks about evaluating the consequences and implications,” Mahamadou Sana told the BBC.
According to him, "under no circumstances were either the Malian or the Burkinabe authorities informed in advance of this operation." Nothing, he said, was served to them to allow them “to also anticipate what is happening now”.
Mahamadou Sana also reported injuries recorded, “even sometimes gunshot wounds”.
“Which suggests that our compatriots have suffered cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment as brother countries, this is truly regrettable and it was necessary to underline this,” he stressed.
The other mission also assigned to the Burkinabe minister is also “to see to what extent we can organize the repatriation of our compatriots in a dignified and decent manner”.
The resources deployed and Bamako’s contribution
After several hundred Burkinabè fleeing the eviction had crossed the border to take refuge in Malian territory, they were collected and assisted by the Malian authorities.
A "significant influx of nationals of various nationalities currently observed at the border between Mali and Guinea, towards the district of Bamako", underlined Tuesday a press release from a service of the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection of Mali, seen by AFP.
This Crisis Coordination and Management Center (CECOGEC) indicates that "this situation results from the measures taken by the Guinean authorities to put an end to clandestine and illegal gold panning on Guinean territory", indicated the AFP.
“All necessary measures are taken by the competent authorities to ensure reception in appropriate conditions for the people concerned, as well as their transport to their respective countries of origin,” according to the same press release.
Burkina Faso welcomed the measures taken by Mali (as part of the Alliance of Sahel States-AES) to facilitate the reception, care and repatriation of its nationals.
“Measures have already been taken by our brothers in Mali in terms of support and humanitarian assistance. All of which has also helped to relieve our compatriots,” revealed the Burkinabé Minister of Security.
“A hundred buses have already been mobilized, 50 of which are already on their way to Malian territory so that tomorrow we can organize this repatriation,” he announced.
Mahamadou Sana also revealed that “from Burkina Faso, reception sites have already been identified” to accommodate them. This will make it possible to “also organize the return of these compatriots to their respective families”.
It should be noted that the Guinean government has not yet communicated on the situation of Burkinabe nationals.
Several West African nationals, including many from Burkina Faso, worked in artisanal gold mines in Guinea.
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