States of South Sudan

The States of South Sudan were created out of the three historic former provinces (and contemporary regions) of Bahr el Ghazal (northwest), Equatoria (southern), and Greater Upper Nile (northeast). The states are further divided into 79 counties.

In October 2015, South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit issued a decree establishing 28 states in place of the 10 that was previously established. The decree established the new states largely along ethnic lines. A number of opposition parties challenged the constitutionality of this decree and the decree was referred to parliament for approval as a constitutional amendment. In November, the South Sudanese parliament approved the creation of the new states. In January 2017, President Salva Kiir stated a decreed of further subdivision of the country from 28 into 32 states.

In February 2020, as a result of a peace agreement that ended the South Sudanese Civil War, the country returned to the original 10 states plus two administrative areas, Greater Pibor and Ruweng, and the special administrative status area of Abyei.

As a result of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2005, the Abyei Area is considered to be simultaneously part of the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan, effectively a condominium. The Kafia Kingi area is disputed between South Sudan and Sudan and the Ilemi Triangle is disputed between South Sudan and Kenya.

Ten states and three areas (2020–present)


Under the terms of a peace agreement signed on 22 February 2020, South Sudan is divided into ten states, two administrative areas and one area with special administrative status. The states and administrative areas are grouped into the three former historical provinces of the Sudan: Bahr el Ghazal, Equatoria, Greater Upper Nile. Each state is headed by a Governor and administrative areas are led by Chief Administrators.

32 states (2017–2020)


On 14 January 2017, President Kiir issued a presidential decree that increased the number of federal states from 28 to 32.


 * The now defunct Eastern Nile State was split into 2 individual states, Central Upper Nile State with Malakal as its capital city and Northern Upper Nile State with Renk as its capital city.
 * Akobo State was formed and split from Bieh State, with Akobo as its capital. It comprises Akobo county in the Greater Upper Nile Region.
 * Maiwut State was formed and split from Latjoor State in the Greater Upper Nile Region retaining Koma, Longuchuk, and Maiwut counties.
 * Tambura State was formed and split from Gbudwe State, with Tambura as its capital. It comprises Tambura and Nagero counties in the Equatoria Region.

List
The 32 states were as follows:

Note:


 * - includes Bari, Lokoya and Nyangwara communities

Bahr el Ghazal

 * 1) Aweil
 * 2) Aweil East
 * 3) Eastern Lakes
 * 4) Gogrial
 * 5) Gok
 * 6) Lol
 * 7) Tonj
 * 8) Twic
 * 9) Wau
 * 10) Western Lakes

Equatoria

 * 1) Amadi
 * 2) Gbudwe
 * 3) Imatong
 * 4) Jubek1
 * 5) Maridi
 * 6) Namorunyang
 * 7) Terekeka
 * 8) Yei River

Greater Upper Nile

 * 1) Boma
 * 2) Bieh2
 * 3) Eastern Nile
 * 4) Jonglei
 * 5) Latjoor
 * 6) Northern Liech
 * 7) Ruweng
 * 8) Southern Liech
 * 9) Fangak3
 * 10) Fashoda4


 * 1) – containing the national capital city of Juba
 * 2) – earlier called Eastern Bieh
 * 3) – earlier called Western Bieh
 * 4) – earlier called Western Nile

SPLM-IO declaration


On 22 December 2014, leader of the SPLM-IO and former vice president Riek Machar declared the 10 states of South Sudan dissolved and the formation of 21 new states in a federal system. The declaration was not recognised by the South Sudanese government. The Sudan Tribune reported on 1 January 2015 that Machar appointed "military governors" for several of his declared states. These states became defunct when the SPLM-IO joined the unity government formed by the R-ARCSS in February 2020.