9 Chinese killed in attack on gold mine in Central African Republic

AFPThe President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera

NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 20:18

Nine Chinese nationals have been killed in an attack on a Chinese-operated gold mine in the Central African Republic. Two others were injured.

Unknown gunmen opened fire after overpowering guards at the Chimbolo mine, the mayor of the nearby town of Bambari told AP news agency.

Responsibility has not yet been claimed, but suspicion falls on the so-called Coalition of Patriots for Change, or CPC. This is a rebel group that is active in the area and regularly attacks the country’s armed forces. Local authorities said they are hunting down the attackers, but declined to comment further.

Today’s attack comes a few days after gunmen abducted three Chinese nationals in the west of the country, near the border with Cameroon. Because of that kidnapping, President Faustin Archange Touadera decided to travel to China to reassure investors.

Past incidents

The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world, despite having natural resources such as gold and diamonds. Many mines run by Chinese in the country have faced safety concerns.

In 2020, two Chinese nationals were killed when local residents led an uprising against a Chinese-operated mine in Sosso Nakombo. And in 2018, three Chinese citizens were killed by community members after a local leader was killed in a boating accident while accompanying Chinese miners to a site.

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