South Sudan in a state over territories

As South Sudan’s latest peace agreement lurches forward with the return of Riek Machar, the leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), to Juba after years in exile, the government and opposition are at odds over the 32-state federal system.

Although they agree on the federal system of governance they diverge on the number of administrative territorial entities and their boundaries, the Sudan Tribune reported on Sunday.

“I want to tell you that the issue of the states will be addressed by the IBC (Independent Boundaries Commission),” said vice-president James Wani Igga, during a visit to Yei River state on Sunday.

“We support the 32 states, and the people of Yei want the 32 states to remain so that services can be delivered,” he said, before adding that the IBC would determine the number of states in the near future.

IBC is tasked with reviewing the establishment of new states and their boundaries, making recommendations for addressing the consequences of these changes based on the tribal borders at the independence of Sudan in 1956.

The opposition argues that the system favours – and consequently legalises – control of fertile land by the ethnic Dinka group to which South Sudan President Salva Kiir belongs.

Machar is a member of the Nuer tribe.

According to analysts clashes have often erupted along ethnic and tribal lines.

Opposition groups further argue that the expansion of states from 10 to 32 states violates the 2015 peace agreement because it was implemented in October of the same year after the signing of the peace deal in August.

Hold out opposition groups, which refused to sign the recent Revitalised Peace Agreement in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, stated that their refusal was largely based on the number of states principal.

Should the differences over number of states fail to be resolved, the peace deal outlines that a referendum should be held to determine the final number, taking into account the 1956 border demarcation. – ANA

The expansion of states from 10 to 32 states violates the 2015 peace agreement.