The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has lauded the power-sharing agreement signed between Sudan’s military council and a coalition of opposition and protest groups.

Guterres said on Friday that he was “encouraged” by the deal, and congratulated congratulated Ethiopia, the African Union and the regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), for their role in mediating the talks.

The deal will see the two sides share power for three years, after which a national election will be held to enable the country return to a full government.

Under the deal that was signed on Friday, five seats would go to the military and five to civilians, with an additional seat given to a civilian agreed upon by both sides.

The ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the civilian leaders also agreed to launch a “transparent and independent investigation” into the incidents of violence that led to the deaths of scores of protestors in Khartoum.

Following that agreement, the U.N. Secretary-General in a statement from his Spokesperson, urged all stakeholders to “ensure the timely, inclusive, and transparent implementation of the agreement and resolve any outstanding issues through dialogue.”

The U.N. chief expressed his solidarity with the people of Sudan, and reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to assist in the transition process.

The news of the agreement was met with joy across the country as thousands of Sudanese people went to the streets in celebration.

The country has been dogged by protests since December 2018, which then escalated to violence as protestors and military forces clashed.

Guterres in the speech also welcomed the decision to conduct an independent investigation into the violence.