The SPLM-IO faction allied to former First Vice President Riek Machar has denied accusations of killing civilians in Likuangule County in Boma State recently.

Last week, the Governor of Boma Ismail Konyi accused rebel forces of killing at least 37 people including 20 women in an attack on Bahr Nanam area in Likuangule County on 9 April.

Luka Rachol, a rebel-appointed governor of Boma State, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that the opposition had nothing to do with the recent attack on Bahr Nanam area. He pointed out that the fighting was between the Lou Nuer and Murle tribes.

"There was a criminal group from the Murle tribe that went and killed two people from the Lou Nuer tribe and before we carried out any investigation, the Murle informed us that there was an attack by the Lou Nuer, we surprised by the attack," said Rachol.

Rachol accused the government in Juba of killing civilians.