Gunmen have reportedly caused the deaths of over 70 individuals in South Sudan following a dispute related to gold mining near the capital city. The incident, which occurred over the weekend, led to a disturbing scene captured in a video showing numerous bodies strewn across the ground. A local journalist mentioned that additional victims may have sought refuge in nearby bushes.
The violence transpired at the Jebel Iraq gold mining site in Central Equatoria State, an area historically marked by conflicts between unauthorized miners and mining corporations. Police representative Kwacijwok Dominic Amondoc acknowledged the incident, promising further details once more information becomes available. He stated, “All I know is that unknown assailants launched an assault at Jebel Iraq’s gold mine, resulting in over 70 fatalities and numerous injuries.”
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army – In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) denounced the attack and pointed fingers at government forces, specifically the SSPDF. According to the opposition’s statement, Jebel Iraq falls within an SSPDF-controlled territory, attributing full responsibility for the massacre to the government forces in charge of the area.
The army spokesperson refrained from commenting on the situation when approached by The Associated Press. Meanwhile, the Nile Institute for the Study of Human Rights and Transitional Justice, a local civil rights organization, condemned the attack and advocated for enhanced governance and oversight in resource-rich regions. In a strongly worded statement, the group emphasized the violation of the fundamental right to life and the ongoing risks faced by civilians in areas susceptible to unregulated resource exploitation due to inadequate security measures.
Human rights activist Edmund Yakani urged governmental intervention to curb the escalating trend of communities competing for natural resources. Expressing concern, he appealed for decisive action to halt the prevalence of illegal gold mining activities across the country.