Claim: Burkina Faso recently launched the construction of its first gold refinery, prompting a wave of support online for the junta-led government. Gold is the West African country's primary mineral resource, though it remains one of the poorest nations in the world. Social media users have alleged that a video shows the discovery of oil in Burkina Faso, which would be a potential boon to the struggling economy. But the claim is false: the footage shows a sewage leak in the United States. Furthermore, experts said that no crude oil or gas deposits have been found in Burkina Faso to date.
Fact-check: Clip shows sewage leak in the US, not oil in Burkina Faso
Verdict: clip shows sewage leak in the us, not oil in burkina faso
Organisation: AFP Fact Check
Author: Erin Flanagan;Emilie Beraud
Date published: 2024-01-24T16:36:00