President Salva Kiir has warned government officials from Lakes State against getting involved in inter-communal conflicts.

He made the statement during the opening of a three day peace conference in Rumbek on Saturday.

The conference aims at ending inter-clan fighting and revenge killings in the state.

President Kiir says the officials should focus on their duties and ensure there is peace in the area.

“Some of these people are leaders by day, and when the sun goes down, they turn out to be evil doers,” President Kiir said.

“They have a hand in the problem of killings taking place in this state. I want to tell them today that if you are a party member, a parliamentarian, a member of the organized forces, whether it is in the police, prisons or in the army, I tell you to stick to your duty.

“Do your job only and leave alone the issues of security in this state, because people are dying daily here. People kill others and they hide.

“No one can tell me they don’t know what his or her kid is doing. I advise you leaders to be responsible by ensuring that if someone has committed a crime, let him or her be brought to the law.”

The peace conference is also being attended by the governors of the Greater Bahr El Ghazal Region.

Last year, the National Legislative Assembly reported that over 500 people had lost lives to the violence in the state.