Over 70 People Massacred in South Sudan Over Gold Mine Dispute

A deadly massacre at an unregulated gold mining site near South Sudan’s capital has left more than 70 people dead.

Gunmen attacked the Jebel Iraq gold mining site in Central Equatoria State over the weekend, killing more than 70 people and injuring many others, according to police. The site lies on the outskirts of Juba, where illegal mining activity has previously triggered clashes.

Police spokesperson Kwacijwok Dominic Amondoc confirmed the scale of the attack, stating: “There are more than 70 dead and many more injured,” adding that further details were still being gathered. Other reports have claimed the death toll has reached 87.

Gold mining in South Sudan remains largely unregulated, with state-level control often operating independently of national oversight. The Jebel Iraq site has seen repeated violence involving illegal miners competing over resources.

Civil society groups warned that the lack of governance in such areas increases vulnerability. A rights group described the attack as “a grave violation of the fundamental right to life,” pointing to weak security presence.

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) blamed government forces for the killings, arguing the area falls under the control of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).

“Full responsibility for the massacre rests with the SSPDF forces that control the area,” the group said, escalating political tensions. The army declined immediate comment.

Footage circulating online showed dozens of bodies at the site, while local reports suggested additional victims fled into surrounding bush areas. The scale of casualties and displacement remains unclear as authorities verify figures.

Human rights activist Edmund Yakani called for urgent intervention, warning against the spread of illegal mining. “My appeal is to the government to intervene and stop this culture of illegal gold mining,” he said.

The attack underscores a broader pattern in South Sudan, where competition over natural resources, particularly gold, increasingly fuels localized violence.