A prominent member of Jieng Council of Elders on Wednesday said cancelation President Salva Kiir's 28 states decree would be "regime change".

In October, President Kiir increased the number of states in South Sudan from 10 to 28. Many found the decision controversial, and the SPLM-IO has objected to the border demarcations.

“The regime change agenda is still being presented in different forms" said Aldo Ajou Deng, a prominent member of the Jieng Council of Elders. Deng was responding to a question about an IGAD statement in January which said the 28 states decree should be suspended.

Aldo critisized IGAD, saying the 28 states order was trying strengthen the peace agreement. 

“The IGAD member countries should come out and support the presidential establishment because the order is actually supplementary to the agreement. It has addressed some of the issues which were not addressed by the peace agreement" Deng said "If the agreement is to be implemented the way it is, no doubt it would mark the beginning of another conflict in the country, especially in Upper Nile”

The JCE is a group of influential politicians who serve as informal advisers to the president. It is not a council of traditional leaders.

Related:

IGAD asks S Sudan to pause 28 states plan

Map analysis: Ethnic balance to change if 28 states approved

JMEC and UNMISS 'do not recognize 28 states'

Dinka Council: Kiir added 4 states to our proposal (29 Oct. 2015)