By Kitab Unango/SSMJ September 10, 2024 – Juba; The recent re-emergence of foreign forces in Raja County, Western Bahr el Ghazal, has raised significant concerns among local miners, as reports of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) occupying several areas have intensified. The occupation has jeopardized the livelihoods of many miners who depend on the region's mineral resources for survival. According to Addison Arkangelo Musa, the commissioner of Raja County, RSF forces have occupied key v
By Kitab Unango/SSMJ
September 10, 2024 – Juba; The recent re-emergence of foreign forces in Raja County, Western Bahr el Ghazal, has raised significant concerns among local miners, as reports of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) occupying several areas have intensified.
The occupation has jeopardized the livelihoods of many miners who depend on the region's mineral resources for survival.
According to Addison Arkangelo Musa, the commissioner of Raja County, RSF forces have occupied key villages in the county, including Kafia-Kengi, El Rodum, and Hofra Nihas payams.
This incursion has severely disrupted not only the security of the region but also the economic activities that sustain the local population. The commissioner has called for immediate action from national authorities to address this serious violation of South Sudan's sovereignty.
“We are witnessing the occupation of several areas that belong to South Sudan, and these communities have no links to Sudan. This poses a significant threat to our people and their economic activities,” Commissioner Musa said.
Miners in Raja County have expressed their fears and frustrations. For many, mining represents their only source of income, but the increasing threat from foreign forces has left them vulnerable.
One miner, speaking anonymously, shared his plight saying “We cannot work safely in the mines anymore. These foreign forces have taken over some of the villages close to the mining areas, and it is becoming more dangerous every day.”
Another miner, also speaking on condition of anonymity, echoed these concerns pointing out that “The foreign soldiers have taken over the villages near the mining sites, and we don’t know what they are planning. If we continue mining, we risk our lives. If we stop, we have nothing to feed our families.”
Miners who once felt relatively secure working in the mineral-rich areas of Raja County now find themselves in constant fear of displacement, violence, and the potential loss of their livelihoods.
The occupation of these villages has brought mining operations to a near standstill, further threatening the fragile local economy.
The commissioner of Raja County has emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the continued presence of RSF forces in South Sudanese territory undermines the region's stability.
“We need urgent intervention from the national government to address this incursion. These forces are occupying South Sudanese villages, and their presence is a direct threat to our people,” Musa said.
The local population is now looking to both national authorities and regional partners for help. The occupied areas, including Kafia-Kengi, El Rodum, and Hofra Nihas, are strategically located near critical mining zones, making their occupation a pressing concern for the government.
The RSF's occupation not only jeopardizes local miners but also has broader implications for South Sudan’s economy and security.
With artisanal mining serving as a crucial income source for many communities in Raja County, the disruption of mining activities due to foreign armed forces threatens to exacerbate economic challenges in the region.
Moreover, the presence of foreign forces raises important questions about border security and diplomatic relations with Sudan. Western Bahr el Ghazal, known for its mineral wealth, could play a vital role in the country’s economic recovery, but only if stability is maintained in the region.
The commissioner’s calls for action have yet to produce a tangible response from the national government, leaving many miners and residents uncertain about their future.
Some have already fled the area, while others continue to work in fear, hoping for a resolution that will allow them to return to their mines safely.
South Sudan has been making efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil, with mining playing a critical role in these efforts. However, the occupation of strategic mining areas by foreign forces puts these plans at risk.
Investors, both local and international, are likely to be deterred by the current instability, further delaying the development of the country's mining sector.
For the miners of Raja County, the threat is not just to their work but to their very survival. One miner summed up the situation as saying “If this continues, we won’t be able to mine anymore, and without mining, we don’t know how we’ll support our families. We need help.”
The future of mining in Raja County, and by extension the livelihoods of those who depend on it, remains uncertain as long as foreign forces maintain their occupation of key villages.
The commissioner’s call for immediate action will need to be heeded if peace and stability are to be restored in the region, allowing miners to return to work without fear.
Until then, the occupation of Kafia-Kengi, El Rodum, and Hofra Nihas plus other critical villages continues to cast a long shadow over the future of local mining operations and the overall security of Raja County.