At least 74 mine workers were killed by gunmen over the weekend in mineral-rich Jebel Iraq, southwest of Juba, as South Sudan's government and main opposition party exchanged accusations over responsibility for the deadly attack.
The violence occurred in an area controlled by the national army, with both sides pointing fingers but neither the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) nor other rebel groups claiming responsibility for the killings.
Paulino Lukudu Obede, acting governor of Central Equatoria state, said the government was > "shocked and outraged" by the > "brutal and barbaric killing of innocent civilians by rebel forces." However, Obede did not specify which group carried out the attacks.
Deputy Information Minister David Yau Yau later accused the SPLM-IO of being behind the killings during a national broadcast Monday night.
The opposition party, led by suspended First-Vice President Riek Machar, condemned the killings as > "regrettable, barbaric and unacceptable." Puok Both Baluang, Machar's spokesperson, alleged that national army forces were responsible, arguing that Jebel Iraq was under their exclusive control. He called for UN bodies to investigate what he termed the > "Jebel Iraq massacre" and > "other war crimes" in the country.
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The national army has not commented on the opposition's allegations.
Vice-President James Wani Igga condemned what he called a > "heinous massacre," describing the victims as the > "backbone of our local economy." He called for a formal inquiry to determine the > "identity and motives" of the assailants and vowed the government would not allow unknown gunmen to terrorize civilians without consequence.
The attack highlights the fragility of South Sudan's security situation in resource-rich regions where multiple armed groups compete for control. The country is rich in minerals including gold, with both legal mining contracts awarded to companies and widespread illegal artisanal mining operations, particularly in the Equatoria region. Several rebel groups continue fighting the government across various locations, including the National Salvation Front active in Central Equatoria. Machar has been under house arrest in Juba since March 2023, facing trial for crimes including murder, treason and crimes against humanity, which he denies.
