Darfur governor urges Sudan and Egypt to share findings on deadly border strike
October 14, 2026 (PORT SUDAN) – Darfur Regional Governor Minni Minawi called on the Sudanese and Egyptian governments on Wednesday to share investigation findings into an air strike that killed Sudanese gold miners near the Egyptian border, aiming to establish the facts and reassure victims’ families.
Warplanes struck Sudanese artisanal miners near the border on October 10, killing around 200 people, according to eyewitnesses.
The incident sparked anger among political groups, armed movements, and human rights organizations, which called for an international investigation to clarify the circumstances and assign responsibility.
After the strike, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Transitional Sovereign Council and commander-in-chief of the army, formed a fact-finding committee to investigate.
Minawi said that after meeting Egyptian Ambassador Yasir Saroor at the embassy in Port Sudan, he urged closer coordination and transparency between the two governments to inform the public, reassure grieving families, and address the fallout in accordance with the law.
Minawi said the discussions addressed the fallout from the strike, which ignited controversy in both countries, noting that most of those reported killed were from Darfur.
The Egyptian side expressed regret over the casualties and conveyed condolences to the families, affirming Cairo’s commitment to uncovering the full facts through the ongoing investigation in cooperation with Sudanese authorities.
The Egyptian ambassador and consul urged restraint, advising against premature reactions and unverified reports that could inflame public sentiment and escalate tensions.
Minawi urged the media in both countries to report accurately and avoid unverified claims or hate speech, emphasizing the role of media institutions in de-escalating tensions and fostering mutual understanding.
He also warned against using the strike to spread generalized accusations, stressing that the incident must be handled within a legal, objective framework rather than through provocation.
Minawi called for patience until the investigations conclude, emphasizing that protecting lives, upholding human dignity, and preserving fraternal ties between Sudan and Egypt remain paramount.
Two days after the strike on the miners, two Egyptian citizens were killed and a third wounded when a gunman opened fire on Egyptian drivers south of Khartoum.
Local press reports indicated at the time that the shooter belonged to the Joint Force allied with the Sudanese army, and carried out the shooting in retaliation for his brother’s death in the strike on the mining site in northeastern Sudan.