2007 Koidu-Sefadu protest
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Koidu-Sefadu protest was a protest by 400 Sierra Leone
ans in the town of Koidu-Sefadu
in Eastern Province
. The protest was aimed at the local diamond mine
which the residents claimed to have harmed both them and the local environment. The result of the protest was a clampdown by Sierra Leonean police and the death of 2 protesters.
in September 2007. On 12 December, the government removed the miners after it was agreed that the miners could keep any diamonds uncovered during their work.
company which runs the mine. Protesters had gathered at the gate, seeking housing and increased compensation for their sufferings. The police used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse the protesters, killing two and injuring eight others.
said the "company is relatively slow in building the resettlement". Minister Jalloh also sought for the miners to leave the area. President Koroma temporarily halted diamond mining across the country as a result of the incident.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
ans in the town of Koidu-Sefadu
Koidu-Sefadu
Koidu Town officially known as Koidu New Sembehun is the capital, largest city and economic center of the diamond-rich Kono District in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone...
in Eastern Province
Eastern Province, Sierra Leone
Eastern Province is one of the four provinces of Sierra Leone. It covers an area of 15,553 km² and has a population of 1,187,532...
. The protest was aimed at the local diamond mine
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
which the residents claimed to have harmed both them and the local environment. The result of the protest was a clampdown by Sierra Leonean police and the death of 2 protesters.
Background
Sierra Leoneans had flocked to the country's largest mine after the election of Ernest Bai KoromaErnest Bai Koroma
Ernest Bai Koroma is the fourth and current President of Sierra Leone. He was sworn in as President on 17 September 2007 at the State House in the capital Freetown, shortly after being declared the winner of a tense run-off in the 2007 Sierra Leone presidential election with 54.6% of the vote over...
in September 2007. On 12 December, the government removed the miners after it was agreed that the miners could keep any diamonds uncovered during their work.
14 December
On 14 December, local police were ordered into the mine area to protect the Koidu HoldingsKoidu Holdings
Koidu Holdings S.A. is a diamond mining company operating in the West African country of Sierra Leone. It is wholly owned by through its subsidiary BSGR Diamonds Limited...
company which runs the mine. Protesters had gathered at the gate, seeking housing and increased compensation for their sufferings. The police used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse the protesters, killing two and injuring eight others.
Official reaction
On the issue of resettlement of displaced villagers, Minister of Mineral Resources Alhaji Abubakarr JallohAbubakarr Jalloh (politician)
Alhaji Abubakarr Jalloh is a Sierra Leonean politician. Since the election of Ernest Bai Koroma as President of Sierra Leone in September 2007, Jalloh has served as Minister of Mineral Resources. In 2002 Presidential election, Jalloh was the running mate of Koroma in the Sierra Leone People's Party...
said the "company is relatively slow in building the resettlement". Minister Jalloh also sought for the miners to leave the area. President Koroma temporarily halted diamond mining across the country as a result of the incident.
Sources
- S. Leone halts mining after 2 die in diamond riots ReutersReutersReuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
, 14 December 2007