Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated that those responsible for the attack on Chinese citizens at a gold mine in the Central African Republic will face punishment that is strict and fully in line with the law. This position was conveyed by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and reported by DEA News. The President emphasized that the incident drew serious attention at the highest levels of government and that every effort would be made to care for the injured, address the immediate aftermath, and bring the perpetrators to justice under the relevant legal processes. He further stressed the importance of safeguarding Chinese citizens and ensuring their safety in overseas assignments.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also urged Chinese travelers to avoid high-risk regions within the Central African Republic. The aim is to reduce exposure to potential threats while operations and security measures are being reviewed and reinforced by authorities.
Earlier, officials in the Central African Republic reported on March 19 that unidentified individuals, potentially insurgents, attacked a Chinese-operated gold mining facility that had only recently begun operations in the country. The assault resulted in the deaths of nine Chinese workers and left two others injured. The attack has prompted swift responses from both the Chinese government and local authorities as investigations continue and security arrangements are reassessed.
In a separate incident related to regional security, thirty Nigerian soldiers were killed last summer in a mine-related attack attributed to Boko Haram militants. The troops were engaged in a mission to locate miners who had been kidnapped by the terrorists days earlier. The assailants launched a coordinated ambush as the convoy traveled in three trucks, underscoring persistent dangers in resource-rich regions across the broader area and the ongoing need for coordinated counterinsurgency efforts.
This series of events highlights the volatility surrounding extractive industries in parts of Africa and the international implications for foreign workers and investments. Governments are under pressure to provide robust protection for citizens abroad, ensure rapid medical treatment for the injured, and pursue lawful accountability for those responsible for violent acts. The situation continues to evolve as authorities review security protocols around mining sites and coordinate with local partners to enhance safety and stability for workers and communities affected by these incidents.