February 18th 2020 (Nyamilepedia) – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Special Envoy for South Sudan Ismail Wais has welcomed a decision by President Salva Kiir to reestablish the country’s previous ten states.
Kiir on Saturday decided in a surprise move to return the country to ten states after coming under an intense regional and international pressure to agree to an opposition demand to revoke the country’s controversial 32 states and revert to ten.
Kiir also established three new administrative areas. These includes the Abyei Administrative Area, Ruweng Administrative area and Pibor Administrative Area.
The SPLM-IO welcomed the decision but expressed concerns over the establishment of three new administrative areas saying they would create land dispute as some of them – particularly Ruweng – do not have historical boundaries.
“This is pivotal for the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) and our quest for lasting peace in the Republic of South Sudan. I congratulate the leadership of President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the Government of South Sudan for taking a bold decision for the sake of the country,” Wais said in a statement.
Wais further urged the South Sudan parties to the revitalized peace agreement to form what would be the Reconstituted Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) on time as agreed by President Kiir and Machar in November.
