Boké — When the frustration of youths in this Guinean mining town finally erupted, they looted shops, pillaged government buildings and smashed dozens of vehicles, dispersing only when police opened fire. "It was an immense crowd," says Lieutenant Souare Abdoul, a fireman who had to shelter in a council building in Boké while young men tore out furniture, emptied a safe, stole computers and scattered hundreds of files across the floor. "You could see they were angry and they wanted to destroy this place," he adds, walking on a carpet of papers and shattered glass. Only after gendarmes opened fire were the council staff able to escape. Security forces shot dead one protester and wounded several. Power cuts and pollution Boké residents say little of the wealth from bauxite mining trickles down to them, but the associated problems — such as pollution from dust blowing off the back of trucks as they head through town — do. It was a five-day power cut, water shortages and, residents say,...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.