The Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC) is committed towards completing its work before the formation of the transitional government in May, an official said.
The IBC, established pursuant to the revitalised peace agreement in South Sudan, is tasked to settle the dispute over the number of states.
Joseph Modesto, the other political parties’ representative in the IBC, told Radio Tamazuj Monday that the independent body is currently collecting views from communities on the numbers of states they prefer.
“We are calling on citizens to give us their opinions on the number of states, how many states would they like South Sudan to have and they should give us the reasons why, from now up to April 3,” he said.
He said the IBC’s decision will be based on opinions of citizens. He urged citizens to either forward their views to the IBC’s head office in Juba or simply email them to the commission.
“Those who are not in Juba or cannot send emails, should contact their community-based organizations or traditional chiefs so that their views can reach the head office,” said he said.
He further added, “We have recommitted ourselves that our work shall finish before the end of the pre-transitional period.”
The IBC consists of 15 members nominated among the parties, supported by five experts nominated by the member states of the African Union High Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan (South Africa, Algeria, Chad, Nigeria and Rwanda).
Pursuant to the peace agreement, the commission will consider the report of the Technical Boundary Committee (TBC) on the tribal boundaries as they stood on 1 January 1956.