Clerics accuse army of genocide

Nairobi (AFP) - Catholic bishops from rebel-controlled parts of southern Sudan yesterday accused government troops of genocide in the main southern town of Juba. The army has 'turned on civilians', killing them and burning the homes of people suspected of being sympathisers with the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army, the bishops said.

They said nearly 300,000 homeless people were herded into a stadium, hospitals and church buildings after their camps were razed. The Sudanese army had mined routes out of Juba to prevent people leaving, the bishops said.