Chinese, Ugandan gold miners killed in Kapoeta state

Photo: A processing site at a gold mine in South Sudan (Marcus Bleasdale / Human Rights Watch)

At least two foreign gold miners were shot and killed in an ambush by unknown gunmen near Ngawuru town in South Sudan’s Kapoeta State on Tuesday, a state official said.

At least two foreign gold miners were shot and killed in an ambush by unknown gunmen near Ngawuru town in South Sudan’s Kapoeta State on Tuesday, a state official said.

Kapoeta Governor Louis Lobong Lojore told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that a Chinese and a Ugandan nationals were killed and another Chinese man sustained injuries when their vehicle came under attack by unidentified gunmen near Ngawuru town on Tuesday.

He explained that the two Chinese and the Ugandan were working for a Chinese-owned mining company contracted by the national government to explore gold and other minerals in the area.

The state official condemned the killing of the foreign gold miners in the state, while promising to arrest the perpetrators.

Separately, Governor Lobong said at least two South Sudanese women were also killed in a separate incident shortly after the foreign gold miners’ vehicle had been ambushed near Ngawuru town.

Meanwhile, Mustafa Lokuru, medical director of the Kapoeta Hospital confirmed they have received bodies of two foreigners and one Chinese national who sustained injuries on Tuesday evening.

He pointed out that the wounded Chinese man was discharged from the health facility after receiving treatment.