People’s Liberal Party has called upon the government to urgently address the conflict in Western Equatoria State.

State officials have been reporting clashes between an armed group and the SPLA soldiers. The cause of the conflict is not clear.

The relief rehabilitation commission in the state says more than 100,000 civilians have been displaced in Mundri East, Mundri West, and Maridi counties over the last three months.

The chairman of PLP, Peter Mayen, told Eye Radio that the parties to the conflict should quickly address their grievances and stop the violence.

“We are extremely on the neck of the warring parties – the government and the armed opposition – to tell them it is really high time to have that political will to bring peace,” said Mr Mayen.

The National Committee for Healing Peace and Reconciliation has made a similar call.

“I think those people need to be told that this is no longer time for fighting, it is time for peace and we are asking them to join us,” said Archbishop Daniel Dend Bul, chairperson.

Some of the displaced civilians – who are mainly women and children – have sought refuge in Yei River and Yambio.

However, officials there say their living conditions are deteriorating. Recently, the state Relief and Rehabilitation Commission reported reported that about eight of them starved to death.