South Sudan’s government and SPLA-IO forces on Tuesday started joint police patrol in Nasir town in Latjor State, a local official said.

Gatkuoth Dim Nyok, Minister of Information in Latjor State, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that the joint police unit is tasked to protect civilians in the town of Nasir.

“The joint police unit is now in Nassir town to protect civilians. It is a result of a local agreement signed two months ago,” he said.

The joint police unit, according to the minister, is a step towards building trust and confidence among the peace partners.”” It is a sign of building trust between the two sides. Also, river transport has resumed in Latjor State,” he said.

The state minister said the security situation is calm and stable in the state. He pointed out that the signed peace deal has revived hope not just that the guns will be silenced but that economic stability can return.

“The security situation is now stable because we have peace and stability in the country. Our people in Latjor are happy because there is peace,” he said.

Lam Paul Gabriel, deputy spokesman of the SPLA-IO group, welcomed the move. “We are working on confidence-building across the country because we want our citizens to move freely,” he said.

The peace deal signed by President Salva Kiir and opposition leaders in September 2018 will see the creation of a new government, with SPLM/A-IO leader Riek Machar reinstated as first vice president, one of five vice presidents.