Latest news with #Malian
USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
Hershey, Nestle, Mars escape liability in child slavery case, court rules
A federal appeals court on Tuesday rejected a proposed class action by eight Malian citizens who sought to hold Hershey HSY.N, Nestle NESN.S and five other companies liable for child labor on Ivory Coast cocoa farms. In a 3-0 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found no causal connection between the plaintiffs' forced labor and the defendants' alleged venture to obtain "cheap cocoa harvested by enslaved children." The plaintiffs said they were required to live in squalor and threatened with starvation if they did not work, after being approached by unfamiliar men who falsely promised paying jobs. They sued under a federal law protecting children and other victims of human trafficking and forced labor. Circuit Judge Justin Walker, however, said the plaintiffs alleged at most they worked in areas that supplied cocoa to the defendants, which buy an estimated 70% of Ivorian cocoa, rather than specific farms that supplied the cocoa. "Is there a 'possibility' that at least some of the importers sourced cocoa from those farms? Yes," Walker wrote. "But is it 'plausible'? Not on this complaint." Other defendants included privately-held Cargill, privately-held Mars, Mondelez International MDLZ.O, Barry Callebaut BARN.S and Olam International. Mali and the Ivory Coast share a border in West Africa. A trial judge ruled for the defendants in June 2022. Terry Collingsworth, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, said his clients were "extremely disappointed" and considering their legal options. "The court rewarded the chocolate multinational defendants ... for concealing their cocoa supply chains, such that former child slaves are unable to link a specific company to the Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) farms where they were enslaved," he said. In March 2024, the same court dismissed a similar lawsuit seeking to hold five major technology companies including Apple AAPL.O and Tesla TSLA.O liable for child labor in cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Collingsworth represented the plaintiffs in the cobalt case. The case is Coubaly et al v Cargill Inc et al, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 22-7104. Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Alexandra Hudson
Business Insider
8 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
U.S. officials visit Mali as junta eyes economic and security ties
Junta-led Mali is courting U.S. investment and backing in its fight against Islamist insurgents, as it works to strengthen a regional bloc of military-led governments in West Africa. Mali's junta government is seeking U.S. support in combating Islamist insurgents and fostering economic cooperation. U.S. officials, including Deputy Assistant Secretary William Stevens, met with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop in Bamako to discuss these matters. Mali aims to strengthen ties within a regional bloc of military-led governments, which face diminished U.S. security partnerships. Junta-led Mali is courting U.S. investment and backing in its fight against Islamist insurgents, as it works to strengthen a regional bloc of military-led governments in West Africa. On Monday, U.S. officials met with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop in Bamako. The delegation was led by William Stevens, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for West Africa, Bloomberg reported. 'We discussed the fight against armed terrorist groups supported by foreign state sponsors,' Diop said. Other topics discussed included the potential for deeper economic cooperation, particularly through increased American private investment in Mali, as well as opportunities made possible by what officials described as improvements in the country's business climate. The meeting, at least the second between U.S. and Malian officials this month, shows Washington's attempt to re-engage in a region where its security presence has significantly diminished. Last year, the U.S. withdrew troops from Chad after being asked to vacate a military base, and also shut down a drone facility in neighbouring Niger. Alliance shift Mali, Chad, and Niger form part of a corridor of military-led governments stretching from Guinea on the Atlantic coast to Sudan on the Red Sea. As U.S. security partnerships in these countries have unravelled, many have pivoted toward alternative alliances, most notably with Russia. On the security front, Russian mercenary forces have become key backers of Mali's transitional government, led by Colonel Assimi Goïta, following the exit of French and U.N. troops who had supported counter-insurgency operations in the country for more than a decade. Russia's growing influence also extends to the economic sphere. Earlier this month, construction began on a new Russian-backed gold refinery near Bamako's international airport. Spanning five hectares, the facility will be capable of processing up to 200 metric tons of gold annually, which is four times Mali's current capacity of approximately 50 tons.
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Tottenham could bring Joao Palhinha back to Premier League with Bayern ready to cut their losses on ex-Fulham star, 30
One star is most likely to leave Spurs this summer to make room Spurred on Tottenham could bring Joao Palhinha back to Premier League with Bayern ready to cut their losses on ex-Fulham star, 30 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TOTTENHAM are monitoring Joao Palhinha's situation at Bayern Munich. But any possible move for the former Fulham hardman would likely depend on another central midfielder leaving Spurs. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Joao Palhinha is being monitored by Tottenham over a potential transfer Credit: Getty 3 Palhinha, 30, has fallen down the pecking order at Bayern and could be available for around £22million. Should Spurs firm up their interest, it would be most likely in the form of a loan approach, yet central midfield is an area where they already have plenty of players. Thomas Frank has five natural options in the middle of the park, and that is not including No10s James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. Nor does that include versatile Morgan Gibbs-White, whose £60m switch from Nottingham Forest is in limbo. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL YELLOW MOAN Fans horrified by woke club's new kit 'designed by Year 11 on work experience' Yves Bissouma, 28, is the most likely candidate to exit the club, given he has only 11 months remaining on his contract. Juventus have been mooted as a possible destination for the Malian. But SunSport understands a switch to Turkey with Fenerbahce currently seems unlikely. Rodrigo Bentancur, 28, is also into the final year of his deal but is believed to be in negotiations over fresh terms. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Palhinha earned a £46m move to Bayern last summer after two brilliant seasons at Fulham. However, he only made six Bundesliga starts in an injury-hit debut term with the German giants. 3 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
Business Insider
19 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Mali court denies bail for Barrick staff as gold mine seizure deepens crisis
An appeal for the conditional release of four Barrick Mining Corp. employees, who have been in custody since November 2024 on allegations of money laundering, terrorism financing, tax violations, and other regulatory offenses, all of which Barrick strongly disputes, was denied by a Malian court on Tuesday. A Malian court denied an appeal for the conditional release of four Barrick employees held since November 2024 for allegations including money laundering and terrorism financing. Barrick disputes the claims, citing legally binding agreements affected by Mali's 2023 mining code, which raised royalties and enhanced state equity. Operations at the Loulo-Gounkoto mining complex have been suspended due to gold export bans and state control measures, including gold bullion seizures. The decision is made in the midst of increased tensions following the six-month state management of Barrick's Loulo–Gounkoto gold mining complex by Mali's military junta. According to Alifa Habib Kone, a lawyer for Barrick, the judge found the company's appeal, which discounted the allegations against the four local employees as baseless, to be "unfounded". The seizure is part of a larger dispute that was brought on by Mali's new 2023 mining code, which raised mining royalties and increased the state's equity share. Barrick opposes these measures, pointing to legally binding agreements already in place. Barrick's operations at Loulo-Gounkoto have been halted since January 2025, when Malian authorities banned gold exports and seized approximately three metric tonnes of the company's gold bullion. In mid-July, state helicopters retrieved an additional one metric tonne of gold worth an estimated US$117 million, possibly for selling to support mine operations under state control. Mali's assertive posture reflects a growing movement among West African military governments (e.g., Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, DRC) to renegotiate mining terms, tighten exports, and gain greater control over critical resources. Barrick criminal conspiracy in the Sahel The four Barrick employees have been in prison in Bamako since their arrest by Malian police in November last year. Additionally, in December 2024, Mali issued an arrest warrant for Barrick CEO Mark Bristow, accusing him of money laundering and financial misconduct The warrant document alleges that he violated financial regulations and is accused of money laundering. Concerning the recent surge in gold prices, the junta-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are attempting to renegotiate new terms with gold miners to increase their share of mining profits.
Daily Maverick
20 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Urgent need for Mali, Mauritania and Senegal to unite against cross-border terrorism
The threat of a terrorist blockade of Mali's Kayes and Nioro towns would be disastrous for all three countries. Western Mali, bordering Mauritania and Senegal, is increasingly a target for terrorist attacks. Given the strategic importance of this area for the three countries' economies and security, strengthened cooperation is essential to curb the growing threat. On 1 July, the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama'at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) launched seven simultaneous attacks against Malian army positions in Niono, Molodo, Sandaré, Nioro du Sahel, Gogui, Kayes and Diboli. After suffering significant losses, JNIM threatened to blockade the towns of Kayes and Nioro in retaliation for their residents' alleged support for the army. Beyond immediate security and humanitarian challenges, such a blockade would have disastrous socioeconomic consequences — not only for the towns, but for Senegal and Mauritania, which share this vital cross-border area with Mali. The Kayes region is Mali's main supply route, hosting numerous industrial and mining operations. Worsening security could disrupt trade with neighbouring countries and harm national economic growth, particularly in the mining sector, which is critical for Mali's balance of payments and tax revenues. Blockades in Kayes and Nioro would also disrupt the Dakar-Bamako and Nouakchott-Bamako trade corridors. The Dakar-Bamako road is a key trade axis between Mali and Senegal. The Port of Dakar, through which 70% of Mali's imports and exports transit, serves as a natural gateway for this landlocked country. In 2024, Mali accounted for 20.54% of Senegal's exports, valued at 802.75 billion CFA francs, underscoring the corridor's strategic importance. Goods transported along this road from Senegal to Mali include food and agricultural products, petroleum products and construction materials such as cement. Similarly, the Nouakchott-Bamako corridor — revitalised after the 2022 trade and economic partnership agreement between Mali and Mauritania — facilitates the movement of goods through the Port of Nouakchott. A reduction of trade along these two corridors would also have social repercussions for all three countries, including job losses in sectors such as transport, logistics and transit. The intensification of JNIM's activities in the Kayes region could also disrupt gold mining. Gold accounts for 25% of Mali's national budget and 75% of its export revenues. Kayes is Mali's main gold-mining zone, contributing 78% of industrial gold production. The region also houses the Manantali, Félou and Gouina hydroelectric dams, which supply electricity to Mali, Mauritania, Senegal and Guinea. Any blockade in Kayes would threaten the optimal functioning of these vital facilities. The recent attacks in Kayes illustrate the complexity of the security challenges confronting Mali and its two neighbours. A multifaceted and coordinated response involving all three countries is now imperative. Cross-border cooperation mechanism On the security front, a cross-border cooperation mechanism has existed since 2007. Tripartite meetings between the commanders of Senegal's Tambacounda and Kédougou regions, Mali's Kayes military regions, and Mauritania's Sélibaby region are held periodically to plan joint patrols and share intelligence. To address the escalating threat, the three countries should strengthen their deployed forces' operational capacity and intelligence sharing. This could include acquiring systems to detect and neutralise spy or kamikaze drones, which pose a significant risk to soldiers, infrastructure and mining companies in the area. Given its proximity and vulnerability to terrorist infiltration, Guinea could be invited to join this cross-border cooperation mechanism. Security responses must avoid exacerbating existing local conflicts that weaken communities and make them susceptible to exploitation by armed groups. Institute for Security Studies research has shown that terrorists often use intra- and inter-community tensions as leverage to establish a foothold in parts of Central Sahel. In the Mali-Mauritania-Senegal border area, communities are often organised around caste systems (nobles and descendants of former slaves), which generates tensions over traditional leadership, land access and religious authority. Farmer-herder disputes are often poorly managed by local administrations, increasing the area's vulnerability. Better resolution of these conflicts would strengthen the three states' ability to resist the expansion of armed groups. Socioeconomic imbalances The three countries should also address socioeconomic imbalances, which fuel frustrations and provide fertile ground for terrorist recruitment. Despite significant agro-pastoral potential and gold reserves on both sides of the Senegal-Mali border, locals remain poor, with minimal investment in infrastructure, healthcare, education, water and electricity. Cross-border economic development initiatives targeting the youth and involving Guinea could be explored. These could be carried out through bilateral cooperation or within the framework of the Organisation for the Development of the Senegal River. Finally, this security and economic cooperation approach should be integrated into ongoing negotiations between the Alliance of Sahel States (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger) and the Economic Community of West African States. As regional security cooperation fragments, strengthening cross-border mechanisms is essential to weaken terrorist networks and prevent their expansion into neighbouring countries. Such cooperation could be aligned with revitalising the Nouakchott Process — launched by the African Union in 2013 to enhance collaboration and intelligence sharing among Sahel-Saharan states confronting terrorism and transnational crime. DM
