Shooting at Wagner-Controlled Gold Mine in Central African Republic Leaves 11 Dead

• Shooting at Wagner-controlled mine in Central African Republic leaves 11 dead.
• Residents were forbidden access to the Ndassima gold mine.
• Victims were searching for gold residue when they were killed.
• Community members held funerals for the young victims of the violence.
• Wagner is often linked with rights abuses and extrajudicial killings.

Tragic Incident at Wagner-Controlled Gold Mine

A recent shooting at a gold mine in the Central African Republic (CAR) has resulted in a tragic loss of life. The site, which is operated by the Wagner Group, a notorious Russian mercenary organization, witnessed the killing of at least 11 individuals, according to eyewitness accounts from local residents and aid workers. This incident occurred on Wednesday evening in Ndassima, roughly 450 kilometers, or about 280 miles, from the capital city of Bangui, as reported to The Associated Press.

Community Mourns Loss of Young Lives

Local villagers are reportedly denied entry to the mine, which raises questions of access and rights in the region. One resident, Serge Pounematchi, expressed his grief over the loss of his son in this senseless violence. He described how the victims—mostly young men—were simply scavenging for gold residue and gravel when they were shot. “It is a shame that the right to life does not exist,” Pounematchi commented as the community mourned.

Concerns Over Wagner’s Human Rights Record

Aid workers, wishing to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, have confirmed that many of the deceased were local youths, highlighting a grim reality faced by young people in the area, who resort to dangerous means of livelihood. Another local, Constantin Pounoukouzou, indicated that some villagers have gone missing in the aftermath of the shooting, emphasizing the desperation and risk involved. The Wagner Group, notorious for its track record of human rights abuses, is supposed to maintain order against rebel factions in CAR, but evidence of their alleged extrajudicial actions continues to evoke outrage and fear among the citizens.

The shooting incident at the Wagner-controlled gold mine in the Central African Republic has raised serious concerns about human rights and safety in the region. Local villagers mourn the loss of their loved ones while reflecting on the dangerous circumstances that led them to the site. With Wagner’s questionable history in the region, the tragedy underscores the ongoing need for accountability and protection for the people of Central African Republic.