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Cameroon’s gold rush: a deadly epidemic of suspicious fatalities

Sur cette photographie prise le 4 avril 2018, des mineurs d'or travaillent sur un site minier dans la ville camerounaise de Betare Oya (illustration).
From our investigation

Cameroonian gold: billions vanish into illicit channels

A disturbing surge in suspicious deaths has cast a grim shadow across Cameroon, directly linked to the uncontrolled gold rush sweeping through its Eastern and Adamaoua regions. Here, the allure of gold has ignited a proliferation of mining operations, many of which brazenly operate beyond the purview of state authority. The Cameroonian government faces an uphill battle in its attempts to enforce regulations and assert control over these sprawling, often remote, mining territories.

Immense fortunes, totaling billions, are being siphoned out of the country through illicit channels, primarily destined for Dubai. This sophisticated embezzlement is orchestrated by entrenched criminal networks that thrive on widespread local complicity. These powerful factions are fiercely protective of their immensely profitable ventures, demonstrating a willingness to resort to any measure necessary to safeguard their positions and ensure the uninterrupted flow of illegally acquired gold. Our ongoing investigation delves into the profound and devastating impact of this unchecked avarice on the nation.