James Gatdet Dak, the former spokesperson of the SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar said Friday that he was "very thankful" that President Salva Kiir had ordered his release from prison.

"I want to express my happiness because I am free again after two years in detention and prison. I want to thank President Salva Kiir Mayardit for ordering my release. I am happy because this will enable me to reunite with my family members and friends after a long period of time,” James Gatdet told journalists following his release from the Juba central prison this morning.

"I congratulate H.E the President on signing the revitalized peace agreement with his brother Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the chairman of the SPLM-IO and other opposition leaders and parties."

Gatdet said he plans to leave Juba to visit his family aboard during the pre-transitional period. “I plan to come back to Juba when the time comes for the formation of the transitional unity government, so this is my plan,” he said.

Meanwhile, the South African ex-colonel and security adviser to opposition leader Riek Machar, William Endley thanked President Kiir for releasing him from detention in Juba.

“I would like to thank President Salva Kiir. We congratulate him not only on signing the peace agreement, but for the magnificent speech he made the other day during the peace celebration,” he said.

James Gatdet and William Endley, who were sentenced to death by a Juba court in February, were freed this morning after President Kiir ordered their release during his speech at the peace celebration in Juba on Wednesday.

Gatdet, a former spokesman of rebel leader Riek Machar, was deported by Kenyan authorities and handed over to South Sudan security personnel in November 2016 for allegedly engaging in subversive activities against the Juba government.

William Endley, a retired South African army colonel and security adviser of opposition leader Riek Machar, was arrested in Juba in August 2016. He was detained on charges of espionage, conspiracy to overthrow the government and supplying weapons.

South Sudanese minister of interior Michael Chiangjiek said the South African national will be deported back to his country.