By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Authorities in China, have condemned the killing of nine nationals at a gold mining site in the Central African Republic, (CAR) battling civil war, even as President of China, Xi Jinping, on Monday, called for the perpetrators to be “severely punished.”
Gunmen on Sunday, stormed the recently launched mining site operated by Chinese company in Central African Republic, killing nine Chinese nationals while two sustained injuries, authorities said.
The early Sunday attack came just days after gunmen had kidnapped three Chinese nationals in the country’s west, near the border with Cameroon, prompting President Faustin Archange Touadera to plan a trip to Beijing to reassure investors of their security.
The Chimbolo gold mine came under attack at about 5 a.m on Sunday, when the gunmen overpowered the site’s guards and opened fire, said Abel Matipata, Mayor of the nearby town of Bambari, located 25 kilometers (16 miles) away. He added that activities commenced in the site just days ago.
Bodies of the victims were brought to the capital, Bangui, later Sunday. Local authorities said a manhunt against the assailants has commenced.
Residents said that the violence was the latest incident undermining confidence in security forces.
No group had claimed responsibility for the deadly attack but the Coalition of Patriots for Change, (CPC) which is active in the area and regularly launches attacks on the country’s armed forces is being fingered for the latest attack. The alliance of rebel groups is aligned with former President Francois Bozize.
Russian mercenary group, Wagner, hired by president Touadera to provide security and military training has been accused by U.N. observers of committing human rights abuses including massacres.
Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world despite its vast mineral wealth of gold and diamonds among others.
Mining and exploration activities has however, been affected by series of attacks by rebel groups, who have operated across the embattled country over the past decade.
