‘We must stop inland piracy’ — Tinubu seeks creation of African anti-illegal mining group

President Bola Tinubu is seeking the creation of an anti-illegal mining group that will protect African nations from exploiters.

Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, said in a statement that Tinubu spoke on Tuesday at the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town.

Tinubu urged South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose support he is seeking in positioning Nigeria as an economic powerhouse, to strengthen efforts in actualising the shared goal of improving Africa.

“One thing I would like this edition of the BNC to explore is the possible need to establish an anti-illegal mining group of African nations,” Onanuga quoted Tinubu to have said.

“Our natural resources are supposed to be mined for the betterment of our people. However, there seems to be a concerted effort flowing in the opposite direction.

The president said “powerful” forces are intentionally exploiting Africa to keep the continent poor, noting that illegal mining robs nations of income.

“Sponsored by powerful outside forces, such mining is fomenting strife, servitude, poverty, and environmental degradation and undermining the writ of legitimate government,” he said.

“We cannot allow this inland piracy to become a scourge to our good and healthy designs for our people.

“South Africa and Nigeria should and must take the lead in placing this issue before the global community and in resolving it for the good of our continent and its people.”

Tinubu also re-echoed his call for Nigeria to join the G20 currently headed by South Africa.