General Johnson Olony, leader of the Agwelek forces. | File photo/ International Crisis Group.

The leader of Agwelek forces General Johnson Olony said on Tuesday he will come to Juba when the fighting in Panyikang County of Upper Nile State subsides.

Last month, President Kiir asked General Johnson Olony to return to the country’s capital in order to address the challenges facing the agreement.

Kiir made the call while meeting Olony’s advance team, who came to Juba after the SPLA-IO breakaway faction signed agreement with the ruling party – SPLM.

Responding to the appeal, the Aqwelek leader told Eye Radio, he is part of the government and that he has no issue with coming to Juba.

“I don’t have any issue with going to Juba, my coming is in the hands of the president, but here we have a system in place,” said Olony.

General Olony stated that he is in communication with President Salva Kiir about his intention to come to Juba, which he said depends on the return of peace in Panyikang County as well as arrangements with the government.

“Whenever he calls me, I tell him I will come because we have signed a peace agreement with the government, and I must go to Juba to complete this peace agreement.”

“So am always talking to them that I will come to Juba, if this fighting in Shilluk lands stops, I will come immediately,” Olony said referring to the recent factional fighting in the oil-rich state.

“I am guaranteed of that, and I belong to the government in Juba and there are no worries about that.”

Last month, President Slava Kiir promised the Aqwelek peace advance team in Juba he would address the insecurity in the Upper Nile State.

The two counties of Makal and Panyikang have been in a series of armed violence in recent weeks involving forces loyal to Generals Johnson Olony and Simon Gatwich.

The skirmishes reportedly displaced tens of thousands of people across the state and to the neighboring Jonglei state.

Most of the victims have taken refuge at the Protection of Civilians site in Malakal.