The expulsion of Burkinabé gold miners from Guinea has led to a deterioration in relations between the two countries. Burkina Faso's Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, described the treatment of his country's nationals as "regrettable" and not reflective of the friendly relations between the two nations. He made these comments during a visit to Bamako, where he was tasked by President Ibrahim Traoré to oversee the return of the expelled miners.
According to the Sahara Media agency, the Guinean authorities did not inform their Burkinabé and Malian counterparts about the operation, which resulted in injuries and allegedly cruel and inhumane treatment of the miners. Some Burkinabé nationals were reportedly shot and injured during the expulsion. The incident has sparked concerns about the safety and dignity of the affected individuals.
The Guinean government had announced on November 2nd an ban on "anarchic exploitation and illegal traditional gold mining" in the Ségéri prefecture. The move was justified by the risks posed to the environment and agricultural land. The authorities have deployed security forces and set up checkpoints to enforce the ban and combat illegal mining.
The Guinean government has emphasized that the measures target lawbreakers, regardless of nationality, and that irregular residents will face judicial prosecution. In a related development, hundreds of local and administrative officials have been dismissed for allegedly facilitating illegal mining and cooperating with offenders.
The Burkinabé government has mobilized around 100 buses to transport its nationals back home, with several hundred already arriving at the Mali-Guinea border. The incident has raised concerns about the status of approximately 45,000 Burkinabés living in Guinea, mostly engaged in traditional gold mining.
The tensions between Guinea and Burkina Faso come as the former has been working to regulate its gold sector and establish local refining. President Mamadi Doumbouya recently inaugurated the Nimba refinery in Conakry as part of these efforts. The Guinean Foreign Minister, Morisanda Kouyaté, has convened a meeting with diplomats to review bilateral relations.
The situation remains sensitive, with no direct official response from Conakry to the Burkinabé government's statements. The incident highlights the complexities of regional relations and the challenges of managing natural resources in West Africa.
Key points
- The expulsion of Burkinabé gold miners from Guinea has strained relations between the two countries.
- The Guinean government cites environmental and security concerns for its crackdown on illegal mining.
- Around 45,000 Burkinabés live in Guinea, mostly engaged in traditional gold mining.
