A high-ranking commander of the National Salvation Front (NAS) on Saturday abandoned the rebellion and joined the government in Yei River County.

Brig. Gen. Kennedy Kenyi Abdu, also known as Kenyi Warrior, who was NAS operations commander was received by Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony in Yei told the press after a closed-door meeting that he heeded President Salva Kiir’s call for peace.

“I joined the government to stop the suffering of our people in South Sudan and we want peace. There is propaganda going around that Kenyi has been arrested and I want the people to see me today,” he said. “I am calling upon our brothers who are still in the bush to join me because the propaganda that when you come you will be killed is false.”

“I have paved the way for peace to prevail and we came to end the killing and I want bloodshed to end in South Sudan, particularly in the areas controlled by NAS,” Gen. Kenyi added.

For his part, Governor Adil commended Kenyi for forsaking rebellion and accepting the president’s call for peace. He said that the government’s doors remain open to any holdout groups who want to join the peace process.

“We want to thank Kenyi for the wise decision he has taken to join the peace process and see how we can stop the conflict in Central Equatoria State and South Sudan. It is time for peace and we want to tell him that he is welcome to the government,” he said. “We want to assure you Kenyi that the president and all the forces welcome you and we want to tell you that you should stay without fear. All your brothers and sisters in the army will be with you.”

“We want to tell the people of South Sudan to welcome our brothers who have taken arms against the government because we want this year to be a year of peace because there will be no agriculture when there is conflict,” the governor added.

The reception for Gen. Kenyi was graced by security chiefs and the commissioners of Yei and Lainya counties.