Côte d’Ivoire forms village committees to combat illegal gold mining
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In Côte d’Ivoire, Marius Béhira, the sub-prefect of Niakara, established 15 village committees on October 12, 2026, to strengthen efforts against illegal gold mining in his administrative area.
These committees will operate in localities that previously hosted clandestine gold extraction sites, increasing local involvement in monitoring their surroundings. The committees will be led by village chiefs and include leaders from women’s and youth groups, development associations, and other community figures.
They will report suspicious activity and maintain surveillance on former mining sites to prevent renewed illegal operations. Béhira explained to residents of Pékaha and Folofonkaha that the committees would be a key asset in ending illegal mining. The initiative aims to improve surveillance by utilizing residents’ local knowledge and daily presence in villages to quickly identify and report illicit activities.
Eventually, each of the 15 affected localities will have its own committee to maintain vigilance and foster collaboration between communities and authorities.
