Amgad Fareid Eltayeb, political and foreign affairs adviser to Sudan's Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has called for the protection of Sudanese civilians following reported airstrikes on gold-mining areas near the country's northern border with Egypt.

In a statement published on October 12, 2026, Fareid strongly criticised the attacks, describing the bombing of civilian miners as unjustifiable and unacceptable.

His intervention followed reports of multiple fatalities after aircraft struck informal mining sites in northern Sudan on October 10.

Diplomatic channels must replace military action

Fareid argued that governments have several legal and diplomatic options for addressing violations along international borders.

He stressed that aerial bombardment against civilians cannot be considered an acceptable method of enforcing border regulations, particularly when communication channels remain available.

His remarks placed renewed attention on how border authorities manage disputes involving miners operating in remote and sometimes contested areas.

Responsibility to protect Sudanese citizens

The Sudanese official emphasized that the ongoing war has severely weakened state institutions but has not removed the government's obligation to protect its citizens.

He called for equal protection of Sudanese lives, regardless of political affiliation or regional considerations.

Fareid's statement also addressed the broader responsibility of state institutions to defend civilians during a period of prolonged insecurity.

Criticism of political exploitation

Beyond the border incident, Fareid accused unnamed political actors of exploiting the deaths to intensify domestic political confrontation.

He criticised what he described as inconsistent positions among individuals who condemn the latest attacks while allegedly defending foreign actors implicated in violence against Sudanese civilians.

The adviser maintained that the protection of human life should not depend on political alliances or external interests.

Conflicting reports over casualties

The Sudan Doctors Network initially reported 13 miners killed and at least 28 injured in the border-area strikes.

A separate statement from the Sudanese rights organisation Emergency Lawyers placed the preliminary death toll at 72 and accused Egyptian military aircraft of conducting the attack.

Neither the exact casualty figures nor responsibility for the strikes has been independently established.

The incident has intensified scrutiny of civilian protection, border management and diplomatic engagement between Sudan and Egypt.