The South Sudan Vice President James Wani Igga is expected to arrive in Malakal town, the capital of Upper Nile State, on Thursday.

Igga, who is also the deputy chairperson of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Party, has been delegated by President Salva Kiir to tour the restive state to popularize the message of peace, unity and reconciliation as the country prepares for general elections in December 2024.

Luk Saadallah Deng, the State Minister of Information, told Radio on Wednesday that the Vice President for Economic Cluster will arrive in Malakal with a high-level government delegation on Thursday.

 “The Vice President will open the central bank branch in Malakal after it stopped operations after the 2013 conflict. Also, he will attend some activities and meetings of the SPLM Party in Upper Nile State,” Minister Deng explained.

According to the state minister, the Vice President will also hold a public rally at Malakal Stadium and meet some political actors in the area.

"The visit is an opportunity for the Vice President for Economic Cluster to hear the views of citizens on economic issues after the eruption of conflict in Sudan and the government's efforts to open the Juba-Malakal river transport for the flow of goods between Upper Nile Central Equatoria State,” he said.

The official said the state government was ready to receive the Vice President and his high-level government delegation. “We have already mobilized the citizens in Malakal and the surrounding areas. So we are ready to welcome him,” he said.

Minister Deng affirmed that the security situation in Malakal is stable. He revealed that the Vice President is expected to spend three days in Malakal town.