Between mining and the Egyptian-Sudanese border dispute, what do we know about the area where two Egyptian officers were killed?

Between mining and the Egyptian-Sudanese border dispute, what do we know about the area where two Egyptian officers were killed?

The Egyptian army announced the killing of two officers during an operation aimed at combating illegal gold prospecting near the country's southern border, at a time when the repercussions of previous Sudanese accusations regarding targeting gold prospectors in border areas continue.

The Egyptian military spokesman said that the two officers were the Chief of Staff of the Southern Region Border Guard and the Chief of Operations of one of the Border Guard battalions, adding that they were killed during a clash with what he described as “criminal elements” while carrying out operations to confront illegal gold prospecting, without specifying the date of the incident.

He added in a press brief that the campaign aims to “impose Egyptian sovereignty over the entire state’s territory,” protect natural resources, and create a suitable environment for investment in the mining sector.

The spokesman pointed out that the previous three phases of the campaign resulted in the arrest of 691 people, including 151 Egyptians and 540 foreigners, announcing the start of the fourth phase as of November 7.

Gold prospecting and border dispute

The Egyptian army spokesman showed video clips of areas in the south of the country that he said were located within the Egyptian borders, including the Jabal Iqat area located within the Halayeb and Shalateen range, an area rich in gold and witnessing private exploration activity, some of which is outside legal frameworks.

The Egyptian announcement revived interest in the decades-long border dispute between Cairo and Khartoum over the Halayeb and Shalateen triangle overlooking the Red Sea. Egypt effectively administers the region, while Sudan maintains its claim to sovereignty over it.

The dispute is due to a difference in interpretation of the bilateral rule agreement of 1899 and the administrative arrangements introduced in 1902. Egypt considers the 22nd parallel north to represent the political border between the two countries, while Sudan relies on the arrangements of 1902 that placed the region under Sudanese administration at that time.

Cairo says that the 1902 arrangements were of an administrative nature and did not modify political borders, while Sudan calls for the conflict to be settled through legal and diplomatic means.

Security concerns associated with mining activities

The Egyptian army said that, in its assessment, illegal gold mining activities are linked to other crimes including the possession of unlicensed weapons, drug trafficking, irregular migration, and the activities of transnational crime networks.

The Egyptian military spokesman added that the forces were targeting what he described as “criminal elements,” noting that confrontations had taken place between groups competing to control mining areas. He also stressed that the armed forces adhered to international law during the implementation of their operations and did not target civilians.

Jamal Al-Shahid, a former Sudanese officer and military expert, believes that the Egyptian authorities have the right to secure their borders and confront armed groups active in mining areas, adding that the spread of private and indiscriminate mining in a number of African countries has been accompanied in recent years by the activity of cross-border networks.

For his part, former Egyptian Major General and strategic expert Samir Farag said that Egypt's southern borders face increasing security challenges in light of developments in the situation in Sudan and Libya, considering that some infiltrators cross the borders under the guise of prospecting for gold, which may pave the way for smuggling operations or other illegal activities.

Accusations of targeting Sudanese prospectors

Last October, the Egyptian army announced the implementation of the third phase of its campaign against illegal gold mining in the border areas.

This came after Sudanese media and human rights reports reported deaths and injuries among gold prospectors in border areas.

The Sudanese Emergency Lawyers organization accused the Egyptian army of carrying out an air strike in the North Valley region of Sudan's Red Sea state on October 10, and said that the attack resulted in the killing of 72 miners.

There was no independent confirmation of this story, and the Egyptian authorities did not claim responsibility for the incident.

Following the incident, the President of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, issued a decision to form an investigation committee that includes representatives of justice and security authorities to investigate its circumstances and submit a report on its findings.

The Sudanese Sovereignty Council said that protecting the lives of citizens is a fundamental responsibility of the state, stressing the need to reveal the facts and respect borders. He also indicated that there have been communications between the Sudanese and Egyptian sides since the incident occurred.

Amjad Farid, advisor to the President of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, described the alleged targeting of prospectors as “unjustified and unacceptable,” and said that addressing border violations should be done through legal channels and coordination between countries.

Sudanese Prime Minister Kamel Idris also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims who fell in the accident, stressing support for investigation efforts and ongoing coordination with Egypt regarding it.

Coordination between Cairo and Khartoum

These developments come at a time when the two countries confirm their keenness to continue political and security cooperation and coordination.