Mali deplores uncoordinated expulsion of gold miners from Guinea
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on RFI, SeneNews and Dakaractu
Malian Prime Minister General Abdoulaye Maïga deplores the “uncoordinated expulsion” of gold miners by Guinean authorities. According to RFI, around 160,000 gold miners who arrived from Guinea since the beginning of the month are being repatriated and assisted in Mali, while Bamako is seeking to organise the return of nationals from other countries.
General Abdoulaye Maïga deplored the “uncoordinated expulsion” of gold miners by the Guinean authorities and said consultation between Bamako and Conakry should be permanent. He made the statement on Sunday in Kourémalé, the entry point for those expelled, while saying he respected Guinea’s sovereignty.
On the ground, several dozen lorries and buses are being mobilised for the repatriations. Nearly 15,000 people have already returned to Burkina Faso, while contacts are under way with Ivory Coast, Senegal, Togo and Benin to facilitate voluntary and coordinated returns, according to official Malian statements.
The gold miners gathered in Kourémalé and near Bamako are in a humanitarian emergency situation. The Malian authorities, with support from the WHO, Unicef, Ocha and several NGOs, are providing them with healthcare, medicines, tents and meals, among other assistance.
Burkina Faso’s Security Minister, Mahamadou Sana, had also accused Guinea of failing to notify Ouagadougou. Conakry has not responded to these criticisms.
