The Elders welcomed warmly the historic agreements on trade, oil, border issues and the status of nationals signed by South Sudan and Sudan in Addis Ababa last Thursday.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who chairs The Elders group of former statespersons, said the fates of South Sudan and Sudan are intertwined and one could not prosper without the other.He added that in recent times, the people of both countries faced needless hardship.
Archbishop Tutu said the agreements go a very long way to building trust.
He added that The Elders prayed that the people will start to see the benefits as soon as possible.
Former US President Jimmy Carter said President Omar al-Bashir and President Salva Kiir displayed real statesmanship by overcoming their differences and reaching compromises.
He added that The Elders hope the outstanding differences between their governments can now be addressed urgently and with equal resolve, for the sake of the people of South Sudan and Sudan.