Residents of Kob Fouhani village in Mauritania's Amoud district have called on President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani to intervene in their dispute with gold miners. The villagers claim that licenses issued to mining companies have been granted in areas close to their homes, causing concerns over displacement and environmental damage. According to the village spokesperson, Mohamed Ould Ali Ould Bleher, the licenses have been issued for areas used by residents for grazing, farming, and other essential activities.
The licenses have been issued for areas as close as 760 meters from the village, with some overlapping with residential areas, farmland, and grazing lands. This has led to fears that the mining activities could contaminate water sources, damage crops, and displace residents. Ould Bleher stated that some residents have already been forced to leave their homes due to the threat posed by the mining activities.
Two villagers have been detained by the authorities since Thursday in connection with the dispute. Ould Bleher described their detention as unjust and called for their immediate release. He also accused the authorities of failing to address the concerns of the villagers, despite repeated appeals. The villagers have reportedly sought assistance from local administrative authorities, but to no avail.
The dispute has highlighted the challenges faced by local communities in Mauritania, where mining activities have become increasingly common. The villagers of Kob Fouhani are demanding that their concerns be heard and that their rights be respected. Ould Bleher emphasized that the villagers are not opposed to mining in principle but want to ensure that their interests are protected.
President Ghazouani has been urged to intervene to resolve the dispute and address the concerns of the villagers. The villagers are also calling on the Mauritanian public to support their cause. Ould Bleher stressed that the villagers are determined to protect their rights and will not back down in the face of pressure.
The situation in Kob Fouhani village is a stark reminder of the need for greater transparency and community engagement in the mining sector. The Mauritanian government has a responsibility to ensure that the rights of local communities are respected and that the environmental impacts of mining activities are mitigated.
The villagers of Kob Fouhani are waiting for a response from President Ghazouani and the authorities. They hope that their concerns will be heard and that a solution will be found to address their grievances.
Key points
- The residents of Kob Fouhani village in Mauritania are protesting against gold mining licenses issued near their homes.
- The licenses have been issued for areas used by residents for grazing, farming, and other essential activities.
- Two villagers have been detained by the authorities in connection with the dispute.
