South Sudan’s Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga has arrived in the Upper Nile State capital, Malakal town, on a two-day visit Friday.

Luk Saadallah Deng, who is the state information minister, told Radio Tamazuj that Dr. Igga will spend be in Malakal town until Sunday to meet state officials.

“The vice president is visiting Malakal to launch the Central Bank branch here. Because since its building was completed in 2013, it has not been opened officially. The presence of the Central Bank here is important. It will help attract commercial banks to the state.”   

He added, “The vice president is also visiting Malakal to preach peace, deliver lectures to SPLM members at the Secretariat, and hold meetings with state officials across political divides.”

However, the state information minister said a planned rally by the vice president had been cancelled to avoid violence.

VP Igga’s visit to Malakal was initially scheduled for Thursday but was cancelled due to inter-communal violence there.

Violence erupted at the Malakal Protection of Civilians Site (POC) on Wednesday evening and continued until Thursday, leaving at least 13 people dead and several others injured.