President Salva Kiir (right) and United States Ambassador Michael J Adler held talks at the State House (Photo: Office of the President).

President Salva Kiir has told the US ambassador in the country that his government has taken serious steps to address the incidents of communal violence in some parts of the Country.

According to a press statement from his office, President Kiir, who met Ambassador Michael J. Adler on Saturday, said the government has dispatched security forces to the areas of communal conflicts to stabilize the security situation.

He also said prominent intellectuals and elders have been sent to conflict areas to initiate peaceful dialogue and to promote peaceful co-exist among communities.

The president was referring to the previous wave of violence in Unity state and the subnational violence in Upper Nile, Warrap, Abyei, and Western Equatoria State.

“The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the issue of sub-national violence in the country, and bilateral relations between South Sudan and the United States. As strategic partners, they addressed several challenges and opportunities that necessitates the close coordination between the two Countries,” reads part of the statement on the president’s official Facebook page.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, the United States ambassador to South Sudan, Michael J. Adler said they discussed challenges and opportunities facing the South Sudanese people.

“Today (Saturday), I had the pleasure to meet with President Kiir, and we talked about bilateral relations and the challenges as well as opportunities facing South Sudan and the people….at the sub-national level” ” Adler said.

In the recent months, renewed conflict at the border between Warrap State and Abyei Administrative Area, and the factional conflict in Upper Nile State resulted in deaths and displacement of thousands.