Post #461

Showing Off is Worth More Than Gold 🔥The anti-government group MPLJ has attacked the Tchibarakaten gold-mining site in northern Niger. 💥 The “Movement of Patriots for Liberty and Justice” (MPLJ), led by Moussa Kounai, has been taking part in a fuel blockade of Niger, seeking to sever communications between remote settlements in the north and entertaining itself by blowing up pipelines that help Niamey sell oil abroad. 🏹 The largest site of artisanal gold mining in Niger, Tchibarakaten is located far in the north, in a grey zone right on the border with Algeria. This makes it difficult for Niamey both to control it and to rely on gold production there as a serious source of revenue. 🔫 Given that MPLJ’s overall style of sabotage boils down to hit-and-run tactics, this attack is also unlikely to result in the site falling into their hands. That would mean permanent presence in the area, exposing them to army strikes. Therefore, the essence of this maneuver has more to do with image-building at the expense of local miners. ➡️ Stay informed - @devilsbelow