Six deaths among 160,000 people expelled from Guinea to Mali
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Nouvelle Tribune
About 160,000 people expelled from Guinea are in Mali, including 100,000 in the Bamako district and nearly 60,000 in Kouremalé, where six deaths have been recorded, according to CECOGEC. Malian authorities are organising the reception and return of nationals, with 3,430 people already repatriated using Malian and Burkinabè buses, according to the Malian government.
Six deaths have been recorded among people expelled from Guinea and arriving in Kouremalé, at the border between the two countries, according to figures published on 7 November 2026 by Mali's Centre for Coordination and Crisis Management (CECOGEC). The Malian system records about 160,000 people concerned, including nearly 100,000 in the Bamako district and 60,000 in Kouremalé. Injured people are also among those received.
Malian authorities have mobilised government departments to ensure the security of operations, provide humanitarian assistance and organise the return of nationals. An emergency reception site has been set up in Ouinzinbougou. A total of 413 expelled people have received treatment in health facilities in the Bamako district, according to CECOGEC.
The transport of people to their countries of origin is being carried out with support from Burkina Faso. On 5 November, 47 Burkinabè buses and two Malian vehicles enabled about 3,430 people to return. From 6 November, Mali deployed 74 trucks and 24 buses to transport nearly 15,000 people to Burkina Faso. Operations continued on 7 November with 60 trucks and 10 Malian buses, as well as 48 Burkinabè coaches.
Guinea banned artisanal and uncontrolled gold mining on 2 November, particularly in the Siguiri region in the north-east of the country. Enforcement of the measure by security forces led to the expulsion of thousands of foreign workers, mainly Burkinabè and Malians. The mayor of Kouremalé had reported more than 8,000 people registered in his municipality as early as 2 November. Burkina Faso's Security Minister, Mahamadou Sana, travelled to Bamako on 4 November to monitor the situation and criticised the treatment of those expelled.
The situation follows an influx of foreign nationals reported towards Bamako on 5 November and the tally of nearly 80,000 people entering Mali from Guinea, published on 6 November. On 7 November, Malian authorities had also announced the deployment of transport resources for the return of 15,000 expelled people.
