Sahel Edition

Guinea’s Mining Purge Echoes Mali’s Playbook, With Different GoalsF

Posted On 31 May 2025

Number of times this article was read : 1496

Guinea’s junta has launched a sweeping crackdown on mining permits, abruptly revoking over 100 licenses for bauxite, gold, iron ore, and diamond projects in a bold move to “clean up” the sector. The decision—announced in dramatic prime-time broadcasts—targets firms accused of hoarding land without development or violating Guinea’s mining code. With the world’s largest bauxite reserves but little local benefit, the military government is betting on resource nationalism to rally public support. But critics warn of risks: opaque reallocation processes, investor flight, and echoes of Mali’s recent contract purges. Is this a genuine reform or just a reshuffle of the same corrupt players? The junta’s next steps will decide whether Guinea’s mineral wealth finally reaches its people—or fuels deeper instability.

🔒 SUBSCRIBER-ONLY ANALYSIS


This in-depth analysis is reserved exclusively for clients subscribing to The North Africa Journal.

Already a subscriber?
Please log in here

More on the Sahel

Flashpoints: In Southern Chad, A Local Clash Reveals Deeper Fragility$

Clashes near the town of Korbol in southern Chad on January 13, 2026, left soldiers and rebel fighters dead after the army issued a 48‑hour ultimatum to the Movement for Peace, Reconciliation and Development. The incident barely registered internationally, yet it captures a familiar cycle in Chad’s politics: armed groups rejecting disarmament, a government relying on military pressure, and border regions absorbing the costs. Looking at Korbol helps explain how under‑reported local flashpoints quietly sustain instability across the country.

Local Conflicts: State-Imposed Land Pact Struggles to Calm Tensions in Brakna, Mauritania$

Local Conflicts: State-Imposed Land Pact Struggles to Calm Tensions in Brakna, Mauritania$

Authorities in Mauritania’s Brakna region have forced a truce between rival farming communities after deadly clashes over fertile land in the Waalo zone. The agreement, signed in Aleg under the authority of the regional governor, halts direct confrontations and routes all complaints through the administration, but accusations of bias and political interference show that trust in the state’s land governance remains badly shaken.

Niger Airport Attack Deepens Sahel’s Security and Diplomatic Strains$

An overnight assault on the air base embedded in Niamey’s international airport has pushed Niger’s crisis into the capital, wounding soldiers and damaging civilian aircraft. The United States has ordered non‑essential diplomatic staff to leave, while other governments tighten “avoid all travel” warnings, signaling a broader reassessment of risk. As Niamey accuses foreign states and militants claim responsibility, the episode underscores how security, regime politics, and great‑power rivalry now collide in the Sahel.

The North Africa Journal's WhatsApp Group
.
Shield and Alert Sahel