Dozens of citizens in Maban County in Upper Nile State took to the street on Monday to support the latest presidential decree creating 28 states in South Sudan, a local official said.

Maban County Commissioner Saad Allah Luk Deng told Radio Tamazuj that the decision will solve the problem of development across South Sudan.

“Yesterday the civil society organized a peaceful protest to support the president of the Republic Salva Kiir Mayardit for creating 28 states, so they support the division of states,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ali Adlan, an MP representing Maban County in the National Legislative Assembly said the citizens support the presidential order establishing 28 states.

According to the recent Establishment Order, Maban County will become part of East Nile State, together with Malakal, Renk, Melut, Baliet, Akoka, Pigi and Koma counties.

Related: 

Full list of Kiir's proposed new 28 states in S Sudan