Guinea expels 1,557 West Africans convicted of illegal gold mining
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Vanguard and Guinéenews
Guinea has expelled 1,557 West Africans, mostly Burkinabe and Malians, convicted of illegal gold mining, according to judicial and security sources reported by Vanguard. The convoy of 44 vehicles, which left Conakry on Friday, reached Kouremalé, a border town with Mali, on Saturday, amid tensions between gold miners and security forces.
According to DIRPA, the directorate of information of the Guinean armed forces, these men, arrested at mining sites, were granted a pardon before being escorted to the border. The convoy was supported by air assets, while the Burkinabe consulate in Conakry took part in the journey. The Malian and Burkinabe authorities were mobilised at Kouremalé to receive their nationals, and the handover took place, according to the institution, in an orderly manner and without incident.
The expellees expressed their gratitude for the clemency of President Mamadi Doumbouya, DIRPA said, and the residents of Kouremalé welcomed the outcome with goodwill.
These expulsions are part of a wave that began in early November, when operations multiplied, notably in Siguiri, a major gold-producing region in the north-east of the country. The government seeks to curb disorderly gold mining and reduce pollution caused by unregulated sites. More than 8,000 expellees had already arrived at Kouremalé by 5 November, and 1,263 people are still to be tried for the same offence, according to official announcements.
These operations have also led to clashes. On Wednesday, clashes in Siguiri left at least ten dead, according to an official statement issued on Thursday. On Saturday, the main opposition coalition spoke of an “authoritarian drift” and accused the authorities of resorting to force “as a method of government.”
