Guinea: Illegal gold mining creates border crisis
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Guinee360
The suspension of illegal gold mining in Siguiri by Guinean authorities has led thousands of foreign gold miners to leave for Mali, a large proportion of them Burkinabè. Bamako says more than 40,000 people of different nationalities have been recorded at Kourémalé, according to Guinee360, citing the AIB among others.
The suspension of illegal gold mining in the Guinean region of Siguiri has led thousands of foreign gold miners, including a large proportion of Burkinabè, to leave for Mali, reports Guinee360. Bamako says it has recorded more than 40,000 people of different nationalities at the Kourémalé border and refers to a “humanitarian catastrophe”.
The situation was discussed on 5 November 2026 in Ouagadougou by Malian President Assimi Goïta and Burkinabè President Ibrahim Traoré, according to Guinee360. The two leaders welcomed the reception given by Mali to Burkinabè nationals arriving from Guinea and encouraged their communities to live in harmony on the territory of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), an alliance of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
The influx of Burkinabè nationals into Mali comes after operations carried out by Guinean authorities against illegal gold mining in Siguiri, which led thousands of foreigners to leave, reports Guinee360.
