Santo Laku, Auxiliary Bishop of Catholic Archdiocese of Juba. (File photo).

The Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba has appealed to the government to take swift action to end sub-national hostilities in the country.

Santo Laku Pio made the call on Friday during the burial of five people who were killed in Lokiliri Payam,East of Juba County last week.

Speaking to mourners, Bishop Laku urged policymakers including government officials, chiefs, and religious leaders to work towards ending such incidents.

“If you are working for the nation and to serve the citizens. If you are a chief, you are a chief for the citizens and if you are a priest, you are a priest for the people,” said the man-of-God.

“If you are a soldier, you are a soldier for the people. So, there is no need for these incidents to continue.”

The UN Mission in the country says prevailing incidents of deadly sub-national violence across the country have become the biggest threat to peace – since the formation of the unity government.

On November 19, sectional fighting involving armed youth erupted in Tonj East County of Warrap State, killing five people and wounding 15 others.

According to the state government, young men fought with sticks over a girl – before opting to use firearms leading to 12 hours of gun battle.

Sporadic violence is also raging in northern Upper Nile State, according to UNMISS and agencies.

Addressing the mourners on Friday, Bishop Laku called for an end to killings across the country.

“Let this kind of death end and let us die a natural death. Let someon be sick and taken to the hospital, until a doctor says there is no way.”

“But killing somebody without a reason is not good. We were saying peace has come and we are in our country but why are we still dying like this.”