Um Dafuq, October 23 (Darfur24)
Two Sudanese traders were shot dead, allegedly by members of the Seleka forces, at a gold mine in the Central African Republic (CAR), according to local sources.
A Sudanese trader, who requested anonymity, told Darfur24 that the incident took place at the Andha mine, where the victims were in possession of about 70 grams of gold. He said members of the Seleka forces arrived at the site and demanded that the traders pay 50,000 riyals to the forces’ office.
“A dispute broke out between the two sides, after which one of the soldiers opened fire on the Sudanese traders, killing them instantly before fleeing the scene. The soldier was later arrested,” he added.
The killings come amid rising security tensions along the Sudan–CAR border, where clashes between Central African armed groups and Sudanese Arab tribes have resulted in dozens of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of people into Sudan.
Last week, a mediation committee from Um Dukhun locality in South Darfur announced plans to hold a civil reconciliation conference in the Central African town of Umm Dafuq to address the ongoing intercommunal violence. However, the meeting has been postponed several times due to logistical reasons.
Local sources told Darfur24 that a delegation from the Ta’aisha tribe has arrived on the Sudanese side of Um Dafuq, while the other parties are gathered on the Central African side of the town, where the conference is expected to take place in the presence of local authorities, UN peacekeeping forces, and Russian troops stationed in the region.