Mouhamadou Kane Marcena Hunter Désiré NIKIEMA Michel Yoboue Kady Seguin

Gold, conflict and criminality in West Africa

A Talk by Marcena Hunter , Mouhamadou Kane , Désiré NIKIEMA , Kady Seguin and Dr Michel Yoboue

About this Talk

While gold is often referred to as a blood mineral due to its role in conflict financing, the relationship between the gold sector, instability and violence is far more nuanced, with complex regional dynamics. In the gold production hub of West Africa, where artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is pervasive, an increasing tide of insecurity and violence in recent years adds to the complexity within the sector. Woven into the region’s convoluted web of actors, activity and supply chains are criminal networks which link local mines to international trade hubs, exploiting the gold sector for financial gain and power. Consequently, in West Africa, gold is closely intertwined with survival, money, power and criminality. The report demonstrates that the reality of the relationships between gold, conflict and criminality challenges the simplistic narrative of ‘blood minerals’ used to finance conflict, offering a far more nuanced understanding of the significance of the gold sector in West Africa.

28 November 2022, 11:00 AM

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

About The Speakers

Marcena Hunter

Marcena Hunter

Thematic Lead on Extractives and Illicit Flows, GI-TOC

Thematic Lead on Extractives and Illicit Flows, Gl-TOC


Mouhamadou Kane

Mouhamadou Kane


Michel Yoboue

Dr Michel Yoboue

Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition


Kady Seguin

Kady Seguin

Impact


Désiré NIKIEMA

Désiré NIKIEMA

Alliance pour une Mine Responsable (ARM), Alliance pour une Mine Responsable (ARM)

National Coordinator of the Alliance for Responsible Mining in Burkina Faso, and the General Manager of Cabinet Limit Consulting