The mine is located in the Jebel Iraq area near the capital city of Juba. In the past, it was the site of violent clashes between mining companies and miners who mine illegally, writes the CBC website.
The police spokesperson does not yet have more detailed information. “All I know is that unknown gunmen attacked the gold mine. There are more than 70 dead and many injured,” he said.
The opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM/A-IO) has accused government forces of responsibility for the weekend incident, arguing that the area is under full government military control.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. It became the youngest country and at the same time ranked among the poorest countries in the world.
Disputes between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, who leads the SPLM/A-IO, led to a civil war in which 400,000 people died and another four million civilians lost their homes between 2013 and 2018. According to international observers, the 2018 power-sharing agreement has become increasingly fragile over the past year, and the country is at risk of a large-scale conflict.
