Sudanese political parties have intensified demands for an independent investigation into deadly airstrikes on gold miners near the Egyptian border, accusing Cairo of violating Sudanese sovereignty and criticising the Port Sudan authorities for failing to protect civilians.
The National Umma Party condemned the October 10 bombardment in the North Wadi mining region, accusing Egyptian military aircraft of carrying out attacks that reportedly killed dozens of Sudanese workers.
The party called for an urgent, independent investigation, public disclosure of its findings and political, diplomatic and legal measures to prevent further attacks.
It also criticised the military-aligned authorities in Port Sudan for failing to implement adequate measures to protect citizens working in remote border areas.
The party demanded compensation for victims’ families, accountability for officials found negligent and stronger arrangements to regulate civilian mining operations in dangerous frontier regions.
The Sudanese Communist Party separately condemned what it described as Egyptian aerial aggression against civilian mining settlements inside Sudanese territory.
In a statement, the party accused Egyptian forces of conducting a second deadly attack in the region within five months and demanded an independent investigation, prosecution of those responsible and an end to military operations threatening Sudanese civilians.
It also criticised the Port Sudan authorities over their response, urging them to prioritise the protection of Sudanese lives and national sovereignty.
The National Current, meanwhile, welcomed the formation of a fact-finding committee by Sudan’s military leadership but insisted that investigators must operate independently, identify those responsible through evidence and publish their conclusions.
The growing political pressure follows reports by the Emergency Lawyers rights group that at least 72 miners were killed in Saturday’s bombardment. Other sources have reported more than 200 fatalities, although the competing casualty figures remain independently unverified.
Egypt’s military has confirmed an ongoing campaign against unauthorised gold mining in its Eastern Desert, saying warning leaflets were distributed before operations began.
However, Cairo has not formally acknowledged responsibility for the reported deaths or confirmed carrying out airstrikes inside Sudan.
Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ordered an investigation on Monday, while Prime Minister Kamil Idris expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged government cooperation in establishing the circumstances of the incident.
Idris also emphasised continued coordination with Cairo, citing the longstanding relationship between the neighbouring countries.
