A firestorm of violence erupted from Sudan's gold mines

- World Window

- A battle for supremacy has erupted between two top military officials in the north-east African country of Sudan. Countless people have lost their lives in the battle to control the gold mines

Like a man, a country also has its fortunes and misfortunes. Many nations are born along the Jash line and many countries do not find peace after decades of conflict. There are many countries in the world map facing one or the other problems. In some countries, internal strife is long-lasting, while others have to bear the brunt of stubborn neighbors. Some people's financial crisis never ends. So many countries are torn apart by internal friction. Citizens of such countries keep detouring in the vortex of chaos-insecurity-violence. Fortune continues to run away with applause, even as many new opportunities for prosperity and security arise. One such unfortunate country on the face of the earth is named - Sudan.

From Sudan in AD. Evidence of human settlement has been found thousands of years ago. At that time the whole area was known as Nubia. For thousands of years, what is now Sudan came under different kingdoms. In the last one thousand years, many wars were fought in this land. While Arab warriors once ruled the region, European monarchs also dominated the region for centuries. The kings of the surrounding countries continued to change power in this region in their quest to expand their empire. Much of today's Sudan was part of the Ottoman Empire for centuries. So much of it remained in the possession of Egypt. This period of instability continued until Britain occupied Sudan. In 1899, an agreement regarding Sudan was signed between Britain and Egypt. Accordingly, Egypt-Britain joint rule came over Sudan. Gradually, British rule increased and within a decade and a half, the complete possession of Sudan came to Britain.

In the name of administrative ease, Britain divided Sudan into two parts, North and South in 1923. Britain gave independence to Sudan in 1956, but also chaos. A bloody conflict broke out between the different provinces of Sudan. South Sudan demanded a separate country. For five decades there was violence between the citizens of the North and the South. There were civil wars. Hundreds of people lost their lives. As late as 2011, South Sudan was recognized as a separate country and thus the partition of Britain split Sudan into two parts.

After the secession of South Sudan, it was hoped that a lasting peace would be established in Sudan. Attempts were made to establish political stability in the country amid international mediation. Military officer-turned-leader Omar al-Bashir ruled Sudan as a dictator for decades. Citizens wanted a democratic government. Serious allegations including corruption, money laundering, rape, murder were made against President Bashir. The case of serious crimes against humanity went to the International Criminal Court and there were strong demands for the removal of the president in Sudan. People staged protests everywhere in 2018-19. Finally, in 2019, the army deposed President Bashir and took power. At first, the military officers talked idealistically about establishing democracy, but gradually the battle for control over Sudan began among the military officers themselves. Due to which violence erupted again in Sudan.

Sudan's military chief is Abdel Fateh al-Burhan. Burhan is the chairman of the military government. The Vice Chairman is – Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo. Dagalo, popularly known as Hemedati, is the head of the reserve force. Sudan's Rapid Support Force has a strength of 100,000 soldiers. Despite being a reserve force, it is considered powerful and inspires the army. After military rule came in, a power struggle began between the army chief and the reserve force chief. The main intention behind gaining power is to dominate the rich gold mines.

A violent clash between the two military forces has been going on in Sudan for the past one month and 200 people have been killed. More than 1,500 civilians have been injured in the face-off between the two forces. A military spokesman said the clashes broke out as a contingent of paramilitary forces tried to take control of government buildings. Paramilitary forces say they have been retaliated after the army fired an explosion at their base. International agencies are recommending that the two top military officials resolve the conflict through dialogue and help form a democratic government by holding elections in the country as promised. But Burhan and Hemedati understand correctly that if the government is formed in a democratic style, the dominance in the country will decrease.

Sudan's lucrative gold mines are controlled by Hemedati and his men. In addition to the Sudanese government, the group also provides gold to the governments of neighboring countries. Gold mines are the main source of income for Sudan, which is experiencing economic crisis.

In 2022 alone, Sudan earned 2.5 billion dollars from the export of 42 tons of gold. Indiscriminate mining is going on in gold mines. Due to this, accidents often occur in mines and a large number of people have died in them so far. Also, exposure of mercury and arsenic during the gold extraction process has led to outbreaks of disease in villages around the mines. Local people throng in large numbers to search for gold near the gold mines. While many are lucky enough to find gold, many suffer serious side effects from the chemical.

Within two-three years of the secession of South Sudan, the whole country got a new hope when gold mines were found in Sudan. The secession of South Sudan expected gold mines to make up for the loss of oil, but the gold mines have been taken over by gangs, and now the same gold is fueling the violence. Some of the gold mines were taken over by the tribes.

Many gold mines were acquired at the hands of the army. So many mines were under the control of Hemedati's men. Due to this amount of gold, the Reserve Force has no shortage of money. A paramilitary force armed with modern weapons is beginning to overwhelm Sudan's main army. As a result, military government chairman Abdel Burhan has given the army free rein to deploy paramilitary forces. Sudan's fortunes have once again slipped away with a clap of hands thanks to a terrifying rush for power and gold!