Boundary Demarcation – 2020
2020
On February 4, governors of the 32 states and Abyei Administrative Area met and consulted with the Presidential Advisors and the TGoNU (Transitional Government of National Unity) members of National Pre-Transition Committee (NPTC). The governors then issued a communique expressing their support for the implementation of R-ARCSS (Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan) as well as their commitment to the 32 states and Abyei Administrative Area.[1] After holding consultative meetings with various stakeholders on February 14, President Kiir, through a decree, made a decision to return the country to ten states (Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap, Unity, Lakes, Jonglei, Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, and Upper Nile), including three administrative areas, Abyei, Boma, and Ruweng.[2] In a press statement on the same day the SPLM-IO (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition) leader Reik Mac, appreciated the decision but called upon the President to reconsider the creation of three administrative units. Nevertheless, the breakthrough in the number of states was agreeable to all parties.
On June 10, President Kiir and First Vice President Machar reached a deal to nominate governors. According to a deal, Kirr will nominate governors of six states, including the oil-rich Unity State and Central Equatoria and Machar will nominate governors for three states, including the largest oil producing areas, the Upper Nile state. The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) was mandated to nominate a governor for Jonglei state. On June 30, President Kiir appointed governors for eight states (6 SPLM and 2 SPLM-IO) and administrators of three administrative areas. Only SPLM-IO had a woman governor. The R-ARCSS calls for 35% women’s representation.[3] The number of states and boundaries are to be finalized in the final constitution.
In remarks delivered to the Security Council on September 16, 2020, Special Representative David Shearer noted that President Kiir had refused to appoint Vice President Machar’s preferred governor for Unity State.[4] The number of states and boundaries are to be finalized in the final constitution.
[1] “Governors Commnique,” February 4, 2020. Juba.
[2] “South Sudan cuts number of states from 32 to 10, unlocking peace process,” Reuters, February 15, 2020; “Progress report no. 6: On the implementation status of the R-ARCSS,” Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, April 20, 2020.
[3] “Progress report no. 7: On the implementation status of the R-ARCSS,” Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, July 15, 2020.
[4] https://unmiss.unmissions.org/briefing-security-council-special-representative-un-secretary-general-david-shearer