The former governor of the defunct Torit State, Tobiolo Alberio Oromo, has urged citizens to accept the return to 10 states.

Mr. Alberio made the remarks at a press conference held in Torit town on Sunday.

President 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. 

Oromo said the president’s decision will pave the way for peace, even though some sections of the population opposed this.

“Kiir decided to return the country to the 10 states to bring peace.  We are very happy for his decision because we want our people to live in peace,” he explained.

Oromo urged citizens to remain calm and peacefully co-exist with each other, while advocating for an inclusive transitional government.