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De l’or vert au Gabon ?

Also available in: English

Gold panning in LTTC-Mandra forest concession © Program on Forests ​

  • « Les orpailleurs sont pauvres et exploités, soumis à des conditions de travail insupportables. Il faut leur redonner leur dignité. »
  • « Les orpailleurs sont des braconniers d’éléphants qui saccagent l’environnement. Expulsons-les ! »
  • « Les orpailleurs sont de petits entrepreneurs prospères. Ils méritent d’être soutenus et encouragés. »
  • « L’activité des orpailleurs est inefficace sur le plan économique. Il faut les remplacer par de grandes compagnies d’exploitation. »
  • « L’activité des orpailleurs est illégale et ne participe pas à la richesse du pays. Elle doit être déclarée et encadrée. »

Green gold for Gabon?

Also available in: Français

Gold panning in LTTC-Mandra forest concession © Program on Forests ​

  • “Artisanal miners are poor exploited human beings who are forced to dig for minerals under unbearable circumstances. They should be liberated.”
  • “Artisanal miners are elephant poachers who destroy the environment. They should be evicted.”
  • “Artisanal miners are successful small entrepreneurs. They should be supported and stimulated.”
  • “Artisanal miners are economically inefficient. They should be replaced by large scale industrial operators.”
  • “Artisanal miners are illegal and do not contribute any revenue to the state. They need to be registered and controlled.”

World Press Freedom Day: Freedom for African Journalists

Mohamed Keita's picture

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In Sub-Saharan Africa, many local journalists suffer attacks, imprisonment or even death for reporting on corruption, public spending or the mismanagement of natural resources. In Africa, at least 41 journalists are spending this World Press Freedom Day behind bars. 

While there is a clear recognition by international institutions that corruption and good governance are key to poverty alleviation, there seems to be much less understanding of the importance of an enabling environment, as a complement to training and capacity building, in order for the press to meaningfully contribute to greater accountability and transparency, such as natural resources exploitation.

For example, new oil discoveries in East Africa have the potential to lift millions out of poverty if the profits actually benefit the citizens in that region. The optimism is dashed by the proverbial “resource curse,” that’s plagued the likes of Nigeria, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, where poor governance, wealth disparity and poverty persist. The fog of secrecy and opacity surrounding oil exploitation deals has also caused concern.