Two Sudanese traders were killed at a gold mine in the Central African Republic (CAR) after an altercation with members of the Seleka forces, local sources reported.
The incident occurred at the Andha mine, where the traders were allegedly in possession of about 70 grams of gold.
Witnesses said Seleka fighters arrived at the site and demanded the traders pay 50,000 riyals to the group’s office.
A dispute broke out after the demand was refused, prompting one of the soldiers to open fire, killing both men instantly before fleeing the scene.
The shooter was later apprehended by local authorities, according to residents.
The attack has heightened tensions along the Sudan–CAR border, where clashes between Central African armed groups and Sudanese Arab tribes have already left dozens dead and displaced hundreds into Sudan.
In an effort to contain the unrest, a mediation committee from South Darfur’s Um Dukhun locality had planned a civil reconciliation conference in the CAR border town of Umm Dafuq.
The meeting, however, has been postponed multiple times due to logistical difficulties.
Local sources said a delegation from Sudan’s Ta’aisha tribe has arrived on the Sudanese side of Um Dafuq, while representatives of other groups have gathered across the border.
Authorities expect the conference to take place soon, with participation from local officials, UN peacekeeping forces, and Russian troops stationed in the area — a tentative step toward easing the spiralling violence in the volatile border region.
