The leader of the advance team of the SPLM in Opposition, Taban Deng Gai, has called on their forces and the SPLA in Gbudwe, Amadi and Maridi states to stop fighting.

There have been clashes between the government forces and a local vigilante group known as the arrow boys in the area

The group said it was loyal to the SPLM in Opposition.

In a speech at the emergency national convention of the SPLM in Juba on Thursday, Taban Deng Gai, said the forces should silence the guns and work for peace.

“I’m appealing to the command of our army here and the command of IO forces that guns should be silent in Western Equatoria, the same way they are silenced in Upper Nile now because with this peace, there is no backward movement,” said Mr Gai.

However, President Salva Kiir said these forces could not be under the command of the SPLM in Opposition.

He said they have been killing travelers along the major roads in and out of Juba and vowed to pursue them.

“As long as this people are fighting, attacking vehicles on the road, I will not stop my forces from hunting them down wherever they go,” Mr President stated.