Extremist organization IS Illegal mining of gold in West Africa and funding source March 15, 4:39
The extremist organization IS-Islamic State has gained ground around the world, even after losing control of the Middle East. Of these, in West Africa, it is now clear that gold is being mined illegally and is being used as a source of funding, and strengthening international measures has become an issue.
IS is said to have been weakened in Syria and Iraq by losing control of the United States and other areas due to the sweeping operations and killing leaders, but extremist organizations calling themselves IS have spread throughout the world, including Asia and Africa It is said that some are expanding their power.
In particular, in areas around the Sahara Desert in West Africa, there have been repeated attacks and terrorist attacks on government forces and civilians.According to the United Nations, the number of casualties in the last year exceeded 4,000, and has surged more than five-fold over the past three years. You.
In an interview with NHK, IS mining minister in Burkina Faso, where IS attacks are particularly increasing, said that "IS combatants are robbing and controlling gold mines one after another," and IS illegally used gold. Revealed the actual situation of mining.
Mr Idani also pointed out that the IS uses the mined gold for export to neighboring countries for sale and funding for combatants and weapons.
Ministers of neighboring countries, Togo, also acknowledged that "Togo is being used as a stopover for gold trafficking," and has raised concerns.
At present, the smuggled gold is exported to the international markets such as Europe and the Middle East as "Togo."
In the region, new gold veins have been discovered in recent years, and an international effort to halt the distribution of illegally mined gold to prevent IS from gaining ample resources and expanding its new base. The issue is how to strengthen various measures.