Nairobi, February 07 (Darfur24)
Russian forces have shut border routes between Sudan and the Central African Republic following a deadly confrontation at a gold mine near the frontier last week, according to eyewitnesses and local sources from Kafia Kingi in South Darfur State.
According to the sources, the confrontation occurred on Tuesday at the “Baba” gold mine inside Central African territory and resulted in deaths and injuries among miners. In the aftermath, Russian forces sealed roads linking the mining area to nearby border towns.
Ayoub Mohamed Youssef, a survivor of the incident, told Darfur24 that thousands of miners fled toward Sudanese territory on motorcycles, while others continued on foot toward Kafia Kingi. He said Russian forces arrested several miners and took them to unknown locations, while others sought refuge in nearby forests out of fear of arrest.
Other witnesses said Russian forces used drones and a helicopter to pursue fleeing miners and opened fire, leaving more than 50 people seriously injured. Some of the wounded reportedly crossed into Sudan, while others are attempting to reach Nyala for treatment.
Residents noted that the main road linking the mine to Kafia Kingi stretches about 130 kilometers but is considered unsafe, while alternative forest routes extend more than 230 kilometers across difficult terrain.
Sources attributed the escalation to earlier leaflets distributed by Russian forces in the area banning poaching, carrying weapons, wearing hooded clothing, and using motorcycles inside the mine, warning that violations would be met with force.
According to the same sources, the incident began when a miner reportedly captured a gazelle later found to be fitted with a surveillance device believed to belong to Russian forces. This prompted an armed response involving a helicopter, combat vehicles, and motorcycles, during which gunfire caused casualties and forced others to flee toward the Sudanese and South Sudanese borders.