S. Sudan’s Kiir approves creation of 9 counties in Latjor state

April 18, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudan president Salva Kiir has approved creation of 9 counties in the newly established Latjor, one of the 28 new states created through a controversial presidential establishment order, which would now divide up the country into more smaller administrative units from the constitutionally recognised 10 states.

President Kiir, according to a Presidential Order No 13/2016, created additional five counties into the already existing ones, raising the numbers to nine.

The Latjor state governor, Peter Lam Both commended the president for having acted on on his recommendation by approving the nine new counties, stressing that the South Sudanese leader had indeed addressed the wishes of people of Latjor state.

They include Thorow county with its administrative headquarters at Mading, Malow County at Kieckuon, Thior County at Yomding, Jokou County at Pagak, the current headquarters of the armed opposition (SPLM-IO) under the leadership of Riek Machar.

Also among the new counties is Kajaak with its administrative headquarters at Udier.

The counties that existed, however, include Nasir with its headquarters at Nasir town, Ulang County at Ulang, Maiwut County at Maiwut and Longechuk County at Mathiang.

The state information minister, Peter Hoth Tuach also welcomed the creation of more administrative units, saying if was important for extension of services to the local people.

“This latest development brings number of counties in Latjor state to nine counties which is the most significant development because Jikany are a number”, said Tuach.

According to the minister, Latjor is one of the biggest areas among the newly-created states in the world’s youngest nation, in terms of population as per the 2008 census.

(ST)