36 states are the true geographical federal states in South Sudan, not 32 states
4 min readBy David Matiop Gai, Juba, South Sudan
February 4, 2017, (SSB) — Mr. President, Beny Kiir Mayardit, increases or adds more four states to make the total of thirty six states in the Republic South Sudan. The reasons of these four states are cited in two complaints. One was the fact of their appealing to your highly respected office last year in 2016. The second complaint was geographical qualification and reduction disputes over misplacement in the first place when states were formed.
From former Greater three Regions of Greater Upper Nile, Greater Bhar el-ghazal, and Greater Equatoria to former ten (10) states, and recently 28 states, while definitely before thirty two (32) states now in the Republic of South Sudan; still some areas want states of their own. The recent reparation or amendment of 28 states to thirty two states was pressurization from citizens to President Salva Kiir Mayardit that echo aloud and every area needs state or some areas are geographically fit for states.
In fact some areas submitted their petitions requesting the president to give them states of their own or divide larger with state to maximum. Among the states who requested for the states, none of them had received the positive results of their intention, but new fresh states appeared with presidential decree on SSBC in evening breaking national news. It is fine.
Since the request made were not fulfil , I think thirty six (36) states are the maximum of no more complaints in the Republic of South Sudan and it is not a problem of the President, but of the citizens who want more states based on their geographical locations, and appearances of their areas in square without much populations. If I were you Mr. President, I would add more four states to make total of thirty six states and to see once again which area in South Sudanese will gear their complain to me anymore?
I am a good listener, and I heard very well what President Kiir said during the cerebration of the 4th Anniversary of South Sudan independence in 2014, when complaints of federalism were itching ear of government, and groups of Dr. Riek Machar were also beating drum after it as a chance to downfall the government. Well in that day, this is how I quoted the President, and he said, “ Put your complains in written form and I will work on it because this federalism was tried in 1947 by Southerners, and in few days later on, people came back with complain that it is not good”.
So all areas were given to proposed their states and headquarters. Few days exactly as president said, people began complain, ooh this is not federalism, oh Jieng council of elders are behind this game, ooh 28 states is not based on colonial geographical borders, yaah yaah, no budgets for these states, no let go back to ten states, total confusion, no, we should not go back again, let go ahead Mr. President because South Sudanese learn things when they got them hot in their hands.
That was the stand of the President; he had experiences of how worse federal system may not work properly in the current situation, but people saw it as blockade to their new homes states. Now we have thirty two states and other big areas are still in need of states, then what can we do? We have to give them equality states’ rights like other areas where states fall in.
Therefore, in my opinion, and analysis, may His Excellent the President of South Sudan increase more states in big geographical areas, and large counties like one more state in Jonglei, Anyuak community, Imatong state, and Lol state in Rajah, and there will be no more complain because any other area in South Sudan who may complain again will be too small for states if the complain of these four areas are address accordingly, and specifically as a mood and a move of current political environment in the country.
The author is a co-founder of South Sudan Mental Health care Organization, (SSMHCO). He holds Bachelor degree in Social Work and Social Administration from SSCUST, Bachelor of Theology from CLT, Bungoma, Kenya/Kalispell, USA, and a fellow researcher. He can be reach at david.matiopgai@gmail.com
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Brother David Matiop, you really see things from the right angle. I thank you a lot for your suggestions for (1) Jongle state to divide into Bor State and Jonglei State (or any other name), (2) Anyuak State, because these people have been in problems with Murle for centuries. (3) Imatong State, because these communities have been complaining to have their own state for quite a long time, and (4) Lol and Rajah can be separate states in according to their populations and complaints.
For the case of Jonglei, people from Twich East and Duks have already submitted their request to have their own state; and Bor to be a state by its own. And Twich plus Duks are still waiting for the results of their requests.
thank you
Daniel Yuot Ajangdit
I was condemned by some brothers that I am a separatist and a divisionist of worse face but I told them that we deserve it to have state divide, not because we dividing ourselves at the social contacts levels but it is our right to have two States in Jonglei. Our geographical area deserves it, our human resources deserve it, our development deserves it, and the nation States creation promote it. So bro Daniel Yuot Ajangdit, you have seen very far how important states should benefit Jonglei state people in future
Thank you .