South Sudanese endorse return to original 10 states

JUBA, South Sudan - The much-anticipated unity government between President Salva Kiir and his political nemesis Riek Machar could take longer due to boundary stalemate.

Already, the two factions failed to form a transitional government by November 12th, forcing them to extend the timeline for another 100 days.

But a report tabled by Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC) suggests that the public wants the states in South Sudan to be reduced to 10.

Currently, South Sudan, Africa's youngest nation, has a total of 32 states. Most of them were created by Kiir during the civil war between 2013-15.

After receiving 2,261 submissions from the public, it turned out 1,583 of them want South Sudan to revert to original states, arguing that it will make governing easier.

“With 10 states, increased border tensions between communities and current state governments would not exist. Ten states are more viable and manageable in terms of resource allocation and governance,” reads the report.

The commission released the report over the weekend hours after Kiir and Machar met in their bid to constitute a government in compliance with UN resolution.

In their submissions to the IBC, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) of Machar accused President Kiir of creating more states out of “individual thought…and as a presidential decree without any public consultation.”

Machar and the team quit the government in 2013, just two years after the country gained independence, leading to deadly civil war.

The faction has been endorsing the slashing of the administrative states to the maximum of 21, which coincides with the original colonial districts of South Sudan.

However, Juba authorities have insisted that the states should remain at 32, arguing that they are easier to administer and "makes people feel well represented in government".

A team of experts known as C5 had written to IGAD backing the popular public opinion but the matter is yet to be deliberated by the regional economic team.

“There was a strong voice that said there was relative peace and harmony among all the South Sudanese communities when they lived under 10 states," they wrote.

"They believe that the increase to 28 and 32 states without public consultations had divided them into tribes,” the C5 added in June to IGAD.

Another controversial matter that could further delay the formation of the unity government is the integration of security forces.

Machar's team wants fighters to be incorporated into the defense forces team. At least $100 million is needed to effect the demands before the implementation of the peace deal.

Since the fallout between Kiir and Machar, over 20,000 people have lost their lives with the two factions plotting to take control.

GAROWE ONLINE