Dozens of civilians engaged in gold prospecting have reportedly been killed in air strikes near the border between Sudan and Egypt. A Sudanese rights group, Emergency Lawyers, based in Khartoum, claims at least 72 individuals died in an attack on Saturday.
The group stated that jets targeted so-called artisanal miners at popular gold mining sites in Sudan's River Nile state. Emergency Lawyers described the deliberate targeting of unarmed civilians as a violation of international humanitarian law and the right to life, suggesting that such acts "may constitute war crimes."
Neither the Egyptian government nor the de facto Sudanese authorities have issued public comments regarding the allegations. Emergency Lawyers indicated that its reported death toll is provisional and could increase.
The Paris-based Sudan Tribune newspaper, citing a survivor of Saturday's attack, reported that the number of fatalities could significantly exceed that stated by Emergency Lawyers, with many more individuals reported to have sustained injuries.
Eyewitnesses, as reported by the Sudan Tribune, stated that the attack commenced around 06:00 local time (04:00 GMT). They claimed that aircraft fired more than five missiles directly at the miners' camps, resulting in their destruction, along with excavation pits, with people reportedly still inside.
This incident follows previous accusations levelled against Cairo concerning deadly strikes on gold prospectors. These past alleged attacks were reportedly part of a broader crackdown on illicit activities along Egypt's southern border.
Emergency Lawyers specifically referenced these earlier alleged attacks, asserting that they not only represent a violation of Sudan's sovereign territory but also highlight the Sudanese government's perceived lack of control over the affected region.
The Sudan Tribune had previously reported claims in June that Egyptian forces utilised drones and artillery to target artisanal mining sites within the same region. These earlier incidents allegedly resulted in several deaths and involved Egyptian border guards burning equipment, torching temporary shelters, and using live ammunition to disperse mine workers.
Days after these June claims, Egypt's border agency announced that, in collaboration with the military, it had initiated a comprehensive security campaign along the border. The stated objective of this campaign was to thwart illegal migration, drug smuggling, and illicit mining operations.
Concurrently, Sudan's de facto leader announced an investigation into the alleged strikes in June, which were also reported to have killed dozens of people.
Gold has emerged as a central element in the ongoing tensions along the Egypt-Sudan border. Sudan's persistent civil war has been linked to a significant increase in artisanal mining activities. This practice, often conducted by civilians using rudimentary tools and without official permits, has become particularly prevalent in remote areas situated close to the country's borders.
Gold-rich areas, such as those found in River Nile state, are located along porous borders. This terrain has historically been associated with cross-border smuggling routes. Concerns have been raised that artisanally mined gold from these regions could be funneled into these illicit channels.
In June, Egypt's border force reported a substantial seizure of 86 tonnes of gold ore, alongside various amateur prospecting equipment, underscoring the scale of the illegal mining issue.
Furthermore, artisanal mining is reportedly continuing in Sudan's conflict zones. There are growing concerns that smuggled gold from these areas may serve as a source of income for armed insurgent groups, thereby potentially exacerbating the ongoing conflict.
This illicit trade of Sudanese gold also raises broader economic concerns, particularly that it could undermine the legitimate gold market within Egypt, disrupting established economic structures and potentially facilitating other forms of illegal financial activity.
