IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu. (Photo/file/Courtesy).

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development expressed concerns about the escalation of violence in Upper Nile State and Jonglei State, and asked the unity government to end the conflict and initiate peace dialogue.

In a statement on Monday, IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeheyu appealed for an immediate end to the violence, saying it possess a danger to peace, stability, and the humanitarian situation in the country.

The regional bloc calls upon President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to ensure the silencing of guns and the initiation of dialogue among the conflicting communities.

“The Executive Secretary calls upon the Interim government of President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar……to voice their concerns as a matter of urgency and appeal for calm and silence the gun and provide platform for dialogue to resolve any grievance that may have caused the violence,” says Dr. Gebeheyu.

He further appeals to humanitarian agencies to scale up their intervention to reach displaced populations.

According to humanitarian reports, the recent armed conflict in Upper Nile State has displaced between 22,000 to 40,000 people from Kodok town – West of the White Nile River.

Local authorities also estimate that hundreds of people were either killed or died by drowning, during the attack reportedly carried out by neighboring armed youth.

On Saturday, Kenya’s President William Ruto also appealed to the government of South Sudan to contain the escalating sub-national violence in the country.