South Sudan's president has issued an order to divide the country's ten existing states into 28 states, largely along ethnic lines.

The division breaks up previously multiethnic states such as Unity State and Upper Nile State into smaller units.

Under the new system, few of the Dinka, members of President Salva Kiir's own ethnic group, will live in any state governed by a rebel-appointed governor. South Sudan's recent peace deal had granted the SPLM/A-IO rebels two governorships – in Unity and Upper Nile states.

The new peace agreement, signed in August, was based on a system of 10 states. It is now unclear now how the power-sharing terms of that agreement are to be implemented if Kiir's new division of the states is also to be enacted.

Kiir announced his plan to divide the existing states over SSTV on Friday evening. The written order is titled the “Establishment Order Number 36/2015 for the creation of 28 States.” The states listed in the order are:

Imatong State, comprising Torit, Ikotos, Lopa and Magwi counties with its capital at Torit.

Namorunyang State, comprising Kapoeta South, Kapoeta North, Kapoeta East and Budi counties with its capital at Kapoeta.

Maridi State, comprising Maridi and Ibba counties, with its capital at Maridi.

Amadi State, comprising Mundri West, Mundri East and Mvolo counties, with its capital at Munri.

Gbudwe State, comprising Anzara, Yambio, Ezo, Tambura and Nagero Counties, with its capital at Yambio.

Jubek State, comprising Juba County, with its capital at Juba.

Terekeka State, comprising Terekeka, Jemeza, Tali, Tigor and Gwor with its capital at Terekeka.

Yei River State, comprising Yei, Kajo-Keji, Morobo and Lainya counties with its capital at Yei.

Wau State, comprising Bagari and Jur River counties with its capital at Wau.

Aweil State, comprising Aweil South and Aweil Centre counties with its capital at Aweil.

Lol State, comprising Aweil West, Aweil North and Raja counties with its capital at Raja.

Aweil East State, comprising Aweil East County with its capital at Wanyjok.

Twic State, comprising Twic County with its capital at Mayen Abun.

Gogrial State, comprising Gogrial East and Gogrial West with its capital at Kuacjok.

Tonj State, comprising Tonj North, Tonj East and Tonj South counties with its capital at Tonj.

Eastern Lakes State, comprising Yirol West, Yirol East and Awerial counties with its capital at Yirol.

Western Lakes State, comprising Rumbek East, Rumbek North, Wule and Rumbek Centre counties with its capital at Rumbek.

Gok State, comprising Cueibet County with its capital at Cueibet.

Northern Liech State, comprising Rubkona, Guit, Koch and Mayom counties with its capital at Bentiu.

Southern Liech State, comprising Leer, Mayendit and Panyijar counties with its capital at Leer.

Ruweng State, comprising Pariang and Abiemnhom counties with its capital at Pariang.

Eastern Nile State, comprising Malakal, Renk, Maban, Melut, Baliet, Akoka, Pigi and Koma counties with its capital at Malakal.

Jonglei State, comprising Bor, Duk and Twic East counties with its capital at Bor.

Western Nile State, comprising Panyikang, Kodok and Manyo counties with its capital at Kodok.

Western Bieh State, comprising Fangak and Ayok counties with its capital at Ayod.

Eastern Bieh State, comprising Akobo, Nyirol and Uror counties with its capital at Akobo.

Latjoor State, comprising Nasir, Ulang, Maiwut and Longuchuk counties with its capital at Nasir.

Boma State, comprising Pibor and Pochalla counties with its capital at Pibor.