Leading activist Edmund Yakani congratulated South Sudanese parties on the new peace agreement signed by President Salva Kiir and opposition groups in Khartoum, ending more than four years of conflict.

The civil war has uprooted millions of people, ruined the country’s agriculture and damaged its economy.

“Compromise for reaching non-violent approach for sorting out political differences and embracing democratic transformation in South Sudan is the only way,” said Yakani, who is the executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO).

He pointed out that peace deal is a tool to transform a situation from violence to peace. He urged the people of South Sudan to change their language from violent to peace after the final signing of the peace agreement this evening.

He urged the IGAD Special Envoy to South Sudan Ismail Wais to conduct citizens’ consultations before the next round of talks in Kenya in order to update the South Sudanese people on the peace process.

The activist urged IGAD and Kenya government to allow media outlets to cover the next phase of the revitalization forum.