At least 74 mine workers have been killed by gunmen in an area south-west of Juba, in an attack that has triggered competing accusations between government and opposition figures.

The violence took place over the weekend in the mineral-rich Jebel Iraq area, which is under army control.

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition, linked to suspended First Vice-President Riek Machar, has blamed government forces for the killings.

However, Central Equatoria’s Acting Governor Paulino Lukudu Obede condemned what he described as a “brutal” attack by rebel fighters.

It remains unclear who was behind the assault.

–ChannelAfrica–