Sahel: NGO Acled analyzes the competition between armed groups and regular forces for mining exploitation
A new report by the NGO Acled details how armed groups, pro-government militias, and regular armies are battling for control of gold mines and their economic ecosystems in the Central Sahel, leading to widespread conflict and destabilization.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
The Acled report, 'Extraction Under Fire,' reveals that the struggle for mining resources, primarily gold, is intensifying in the Central Sahel, involving jihadists, independentists, militias, and state forces. This competition extends beyond mine sites, impacting surrounding areas and undermining state authority, with a risk of spreading to coastal countries.
Imagine a big treasure hunt for gold in a place called the Sahel. Instead of just one team, many different groups, like armies and even bad guys, are fighting over who gets to dig up the gold and sell it. This makes it very dangerous for people living there and makes it hard for the governments to keep things peaceful and organized, like a never-ending game of 'capture the flag' but with real gold.
Analysis
The Battle for Gold and Influence
A new report from the NGO Acled, titled "Extraction Under Fire," sheds light on the escalating and complex conflict over mining resources in the Central Sahel. The study details a multi-faceted struggle involving jihadist groups like Jnim (linked to al-Qaeda) and Islamic State in the Sahel, independentist factions such as the FLA in Mali, pro-government militias like Burkina Faso's VDP, and the regular armies of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, often supported by Russia's Africa Corps. This intense competition primarily targets gold mines and their extensive economic ecosystems, which are crucial for funding and control.
The report's analysis of violence across 44 industrial and artisanal mines reveals a critical spatial dynamic: nearly 90% of mining-related conflicts occur outside the immediate concession areas, typically within a ten-kilometer radius. This broader zone encompasses vital infrastructure such as roads, neighboring towns, and associated markets. As researcher Héni Nsaibia notes, initial attacks on mining personnel or transport can quickly escalate into a wider struggle for influence, control over movement, territorial dominance, local authority, and access to essential resources, fundamentally reshaping the conflict landscape.
Jihadist Economic Warfare and Operational Gains
For armed groups, particularly Jnim, the control of mineral resources, especially gold, extends beyond direct funding to encompass a sophisticated strategy of economic and governance warfare. In Mali, Jnim has implemented blockades, levied taxes on mining activities, and engaged in the kidnapping of foreign personnel, notably Chinese nationals. These actions severely disrupt economic activity, deprive the state of crucial revenues, and systematically undermine its authority and legitimacy in affected regions.
Furthermore, mining sites offer significant operational advantages to jihadist groups. The Acled report indicates that in certain areas, Jnim has repurposed artisanal mining locations into semi-permanent bases. These sites allow fighters to seamlessly transition between civilian and military roles, blend in with the local mining population, store weapons and equipment, and launch operations with a reduced risk of detection. Access to commercial explosives, detonators, chemicals, fuel, and motorcycle spare parts from these mining ecosystems further enhances their operational capabilities and sustainability.
States' Legislative and Military Responses Amidst Dual Pressure
Sahelian states are attempting to counter the growing influence of armed groups through a combination of military and legislative measures. Militarily, they conduct air strikes and ground operations targeting armed group positions. Legislatively, countries like Burkina Faso are nationalizing mining sites, while Mali is renegotiating contracts and amending its mining code. These reforms aim to exert greater control over mining activities and secure a larger share of the profits for the state, bolstering national sovereignty and revenue streams.
However, Acled's analysis highlights that these state-led reforms are unfolding within a context of persistent insecurity, creating an increasingly complex operational environment for mining companies. These companies now face a dual pressure: from armed groups seeking to exploit or disrupt their operations, and from more assertive governments demanding greater control and profit-sharing. The report concludes with a stark warning, anticipating the spread of these conflict patterns beyond the Central Sahel into coastal West African countries, where Jnim is already strengthening its presence, signaling a potential regional escalation of resource-driven instability.
Key points
- The NGO Acled's report, 'Extraction Under Fire,' details escalating conflicts over mining in the Central Sahel.
- Jihadist groups (Jnim, ISIS Sahel), independentists (FLA), pro-government militias (VDP), and regular armies compete for control of gold mines.
- Approximately 90% of mining-related conflicts occur within a 10km radius of concessions, affecting roads, towns, and markets.
- Armed groups like Jnim use mines for direct funding, as semi-permanent bases, and for access to explosives and other operational resources.
- Sahelian states are responding with military operations and legislative changes, including nationalization and contract renegotiation.
- Mining companies face dual pressure from both armed groups and increasingly assertive governments.
- Acled anticipates the conflict patterns will spread to coastal West African countries as Jnim expands its presence.
The conflict over mining resources is likely to intensify and spread beyond the Central Sahel into coastal West African countries, as armed groups like Jnim strengthen their presence. This will lead to continued destabilization, increased violence, economic disruption, and further erosion of state authority in the region.
