The former deputy governor of the defunct Maridi State, Samuel Bati has urged citizens to accept the return to 10 states.

He made the remarks during an interview at his home in Maridi town on Sunday.  

President Salva Kiir on Saturday made a key compromise by cutting the 32 states back down to the original 10 - a key opposition demand - to pave the way for a transitional government of national unity.

Kiir also included on top of the 10 states, three administrative areas of Ruweng, Abyei and greater Pibor. He then sacked the governors of all 32 states and relegated the authority of the state governments to secretaries-general pending formation of the unity government. 

Mr. Bati said the president made the decision in the interest of peace. “We welcome the decision of the president if the return to 10 states will bring the peace citizens of this country want,” he said. 

The former deputy governor urged citizens in the now defunct state to remain calm to enable peace to prevail in the world’s youngest nation.  “Know that whatever was done was for the sake of peace. I know most people lost positions but don’t hate each other,” he stressed.

Bati urged the people of Maridi area to embark on farming to improve their livelihoods.