Sudanese Principles Declaration Forces Warn of New Egyptian Campaign Targeting Sudanese Gold Miners

The Sudanese Principles Declaration Forces have warned of the launch of a fourth phase of an Egyptian military campaign targeting Sudanese gold miners, scheduled to begin on Saturday, 7 November, according to an announcement by the spokesperson for the Egyptian Armed Forces. The campaign is reportedly being coordinated with military authorities in areas under their control in Sudan.

In an urgent statement, the group said that “the new campaign comes amid the absence of investigations and accountability for previous airstrikes targeting mining areas.”

It referred to its earlier statement concerning the airstrikes carried out on 10 October in the Oqdaidat Mine area in Red Sea State, where reports indicated that more than 200 miners had been killed. It also recalled the airstrikes of 16 June on Jabal Al-Oqdaidat, which Egyptian aircraft were accused of carrying out.

The statement described traditional gold miners as “unarmed civilians seeking means of livelihood,” warning against labelling them as gangs or criminal elements. It also cautioned against using anti-illegal-mining operations as a pretext for expanding the Egyptian military presence inside Sudanese territory.

The Sudanese Principles Declaration Forces called for an independent international investigation into the previous airstrikes and for those responsible to be held accountable.

It also held the military authorities responsible for protecting civilians and safeguarding national sovereignty, criticising their coordination with the Egyptian side without announcing a clear position on allegations that Sudanese miners had been targeted inside Sudan.