Authorities in Yei River State reached a peace deal with an armed group that defected from South Sudan’s main opposition faction led by former First Vice President Riek Machar in the Ugandan capital, Kampala on Sunday.

The deal was brokered by Evangelical Presbyterian Bishop Elias Taban with support from the US-based organization His Voice Global.

In a communiqué extended to Radio Tamazuj, the two parties agreed on President Kiir’s grassroots dialogue, cessation of hostilities, formation of a joint military committee and assembly point at Kendila primary school.

The two sides said they also agreed to open up all roads leading to Yei town and humanitarian access across the state. They also agreed to withdraw pro-government militias from Ombasi, Morobo, Kaya, Kagelu and Yei and replace them with a professional national army.

The parties appealed to the Evangelical Episcopal Church and chief mediator Bishop Elias Taban to continue with a grassroots dialogue in the state.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Elias Taban, Evangelical Presbyterian Bishop in Yei, said the peace process aims to bring an end to the ongoing suffering of people in the country and refugee camps.

“Today (Sunday) I am so excited and I believe that we will break all the obstacles put by the people who are against peace and I believe that they will one day come and we will welcome them and say our intention was not bad as people think,” he said.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Hillary Yakani, chief negotiator of the SPLA-IO defectors, said the peace talk with the state government aimed at addressing all issues affecting the people of Yei River state.

Hillary further refuted statements made by some SPLA-IO officials that his group is looking for opportunities in the state government, saying his group wants to realize peace and stability in the state.

 “I want to refute the statements that we are desperate refugees. We are not desperate refugees but leaders of our communities and I want to remind the opposition that is in favor of peace to join dialogue and if you are not willing to join peace, you can march to a location that is favorable for you because we cannot give you the space to continue doing evil things,” he said.

 For his part, Charles Remo, Morobo County Commissioner Charles Remo, promised to work together with the opposition for the sake of peace and development in Yei River state.

On 6 Macrch, the government of Yei River State signed a peace deal with an armed group. The deal was also brokered by Evangelical Presbyterian Bishop Elias Taban.