AES criticises expulsions of gold miners from Guinea
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Nouvelle Tribune
AES ministers criticised the mass expulsions of illegal gold miners and other African nationals from Guinea. Most of those expelled went to Mali, where their care represents a humanitarian and logistical challenge, according to the final communiqué and Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga.
Ministers from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, meeting in Ouagadougou on 11 and 12 November within the AES, an alliance of the three Sahelian countries, expressed concern over the mass expulsions of African nationals from Guinea, particularly illegal gold miners. In their final communiqué, they regretted the scale of these operations and their consequences for those affected, according to La Nouvelle Tribune.
Most of the people expelled from Guinea converged on Mali, where the authorities have put support arrangements in place. Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga described this support as a humanitarian and logistical challenge, according to La Nouvelle Tribune.
The ministers also renewed their criticism of the European Union, which they accuse of interference in the internal affairs of African countries. They also examined the implementation of the Year 2 roadmap of the AES and progress in their cooperation between Ouagadougou, Bamako and Niamey.
The discussions came after several measures were taken in Mali to accommodate people expelled from Guinea. On 6 November, 134 expelled gold miners had been taken into care, before the announcement on 10 November of the evacuation of nearly 49,000 people in four days.
