Legislators from Upper Nile state met with the First Vice President on Tuesday to discuss a new initiative aimed at ending the deadly clashes and insecurity that has plagued the area.

According to the First Vice President’s Press Secretary Puok Both Baluang, the members of parliament intended to visit the two principals, President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, to share their brief regarding the new initiative aimed at bringing peace to the volatile region.

The visit began with the First Vice President on Tuesday, and is expected to proceed to the President.

“The members of parliament have decided to brief the government officials, especially the President and the First Vice President on the comprehensive solution for the insecurity that has been occurring in the county. So, they met the First Vice President yesterday, and he has pledged his support for that initiative,” Baluang said.

Baluang added that the First Vice President directed the Upper Nile State Governor James Odhok Oyay to visit and disseminate the peace agreement in the area.

He said the initiative is spearheaded by the county lawmakers under the patronage of the national government as the members informed the President and the First Vice about the process.

“As we speak, he (the First Vice President) has directed the governor of Upper Nile to visit the area and disseminate the peace agreement and also to inspect the situation first hand,” he said.

“The initiative is a joint effort between the members of parliament, but definitely the government will be spearheading this process.”

Explaining the details of the MPs’ initiative, Baluang said the members of parliament plan to meet with members of the community in the region, the conflicted parties, including the armed youths and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) to try and find an amicable solution and bring cohesion in the area.

Last Wednesday, 17 people were killed during heavy fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and armed youths in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.

The incident reportedly took place moments after the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) declared that tension had reduced between the armed youth and SSPDF soldiers in the area, ‘although the two sides were yet to initiate trust-building.’

Violence between the army and local youth has been rampant in the area this year, a situation blamed on the stalled unification of forces stipulated in the security arrangement.

In July, thousands of residents flee their homes after an altercation occurred between civilians and the SSPDF. Five months earlier, in February, casualties were reported, people sustained injuries and families fled homes after fighting broke out between the SSPDF and the armed youth in Nasir town. The local members of parliament now want to roll out an initiative with the hope of bringing heads together into common ground to realize peace in the region

“As we speak, he (the First Vice President) has directed the governor of Upper Nile to visit the area and disseminate the peace agreement and also to inspect the situation first hand.”- First Vice President’s Press Secretary Puok Both Baluang.