70 dead as gunmen attack gold mine near South Sudan capital

More than 70 people were killed after unidentified gunmen attacked a gold mining site on the outskirts of South Sudan’s capital over the weekend, police said on Monday, in one of the deadliest incidents linked to resource disputes in recent months.The attack took place at the Jebel Iraq mining site in Central Equatoria State, an area that has seen repeated violence involving illegal miners. A video circulating online showed dozens of bodies lying on the ground, while local reports suggested several victims fled into nearby bushes.Police spokesperson Kwacijwok Dominic Amondoc confirmed the toll but said details remained limited. “Unknown gunmen attacked the gold mine. There are more than 70 dead and many injured,” he said.The opposition group SPLM/A-IO condemned the attack and blamed government forces, the SSPDF, claiming the area was under their control. The army, however, declined to comment.Rights organisations described the killings as a “grave violation” and pointed to weak security and unregulated mining as key factors behind recurring violence. Activists have urged authorities to curb illegal gold mining and address growing competition over natural resources. Gold mining in South Sudan remains largely unregulated, with fragmented oversight contributing to frequent clashes and civilian vulnerability.