Massacre at the Gold Mine: 73 Killed in Brutal Attack in South Sudan Amid Government-Opposition Spat

At least 73 miners were killed and 25 others seriously injured on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in an attack on a gold mine in Khor Kaltan, 70km southwest of Juba. Vice President James Wani Igga described the incident as a "tragic slaughter," with diplomatic sources suggesting the death toll could rise to 86 as recovery operations continue.

Conflicting Accounts:

A bitter blame game has erupted between the government and the forces of Riek Machar. While security sources suggest Machar-aligned groups may be behind the raid, his spokesperson blamed the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF), arguing the mine is located in a government-controlled zone. This violence marks a significant escalation in a region where mining was only resumed in April 2025 after a four-year suspension.