First Vice President Riek Machar on Sunday says he has ordered his forces in cantonment areas of Kajo-Keji to stop any kind of hostility in the areas to allow free movement of civilians of Kajo-Keji to Juba.

Machar told the congregation at Gosene Church on Sunday where most people of Kajo-Keji pray in the Kuku tongue that it is time for peace to prevail upon South Sudan. He said has ordered his forces to maintain in their areas for self-defense.

“We should stop the war because of war our country is going into food shortage. The standard of life has became expensive,” Machar said. “If the fight continues, there will be displacement, and people cannot cultivate but are waiting for UN reliefs.”

He further said roads going to Yei and Kajo-Keji have to be open to enable movement of the people. He said agriculture will improve the lives of the people especially in Yei and Kajo-Keji if peace is around.

“We need calm in all parts of the country, we need calm in Kajo-Keji, because if there is movement of people, people will benefit more,” Machar further said.

Last week, Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Kajo-Keji Haily Kajamino said about 500 families is still living inside churches in different parts of Kajo-Keji, following a gun battle in a market area in the county.