Ivory Coast: a village files a complaint against the State for pollution
Audio 02:08
The ECOWAS Court of Justice registered the complaint of the villagers of Similimi.
© CC0 Pixabay / NomeVisualizzato
By: Olivier Rogez Follow
5 mins
In Côte d'Ivoire, the inhabitants of Similimi in the northeast of the country have filed a complaint with the ECOWAS Court of Justice against the Ivorian state.
They believe it has not fulfilled its protection and relocation obligations after a manganese mining company polluted the soils and destroyed part of their natural environment.
Publicity
“
We are angry with the state.
Frankly, I say it…
”Gérard Koumé Atta Kouassi's anger is shared by the six hundred other inhabitants of the village of Similimi, in the north-east of Côte d'Ivoire.
Since the arrival of the MBSA mining company, life in their village has become hell.
“
In Harmatan time, it is the dust that we consume.
The runoff water sends all that there is like dirt in the water, and our parents get sick every day ... We do not want to listen to us, we are brought back
(treats, editor's note)
each time as if we were ignoramuses, which must be ignored.
"
The nightmare began in 2007. The exploitation of manganese in the region of Boundoukou causes pollution and major nuisances.
Fourteen villages are affected, but Similimi is far more affected.
► See also: In Guinea, thirteen mining villages file a complaint with the World Bank
Michel Yoboué works for the Extractive Industries Research and Advocacy Group, he supports the populations in their fight.
“
The village is found today in the mine, the mining cadastre directly proves it.
But that is still contested,
”he said.
Villagers who want to be relocated
If about twenty farmers in the village have received compensation, according to Gérard Koumé Atta Kouassi, the main thing is elsewhere.
The villagers want to be relocated, which the authorities refuse to consider.
“
The issue of relocation has been dragging on for five to six years.
For them,
(the authorities, note)
it is not necessary to relocate.
Moreover, for them, there is no real damage to the populations,
”adds Michel Yoboué.
In the absence of a satisfactory response from the government, the populations of Similimi, supported by NGOs protecting the impacted communities, therefore turned to transnational justice.
"
Before the Court, we are not suing the company, we are suing the state for its failings vis-à-vis the population, because the state should protect communities,
" says Michel Yoboué.
The ECOWAS Court of Justice registered the complaint of the villagers of Similimi.
On the side of the Ivorian authorities, it is silence.
The Ministry of Mines and Geology did not respond to our interview requests.
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Ivory Coast
Justice