The Press Secretary in South Sudan's Office of the President says that he is unable to confirm whether President Salva Kiir ever signed the Establishment Order that he announced on television on Friday.

Kiir announced that he would create 28 new states in place of the 10 existing states, claiming the authority to do so based on a constitutional provision giving the president the power to “establish independent institutions and commissions.”

The president's written order, referred to as the 'Establishment Order', said that it would take effect within 30 days from the date of signature by the president. However, journalists say that the Office of the President distributed to them only unsigned copies of the order.

A journalist at a state-run media house told Radio Tamazuj that they received from the presidency only a copy of the unsigned order. Another journalist at a newspaper also confirmed receiving only the unsiged copy. The copy of the order seen by Radio Tamazuj is neither signed nor printed on official letterhead. 

"Issued under my hand and seal of the Republic of South Sudan in Juba this 2nd day of the month of October in year 2015 AD..." reads the copy of the order, with the signature line empty.

Ateny Wek, the president's spokesman, told Radio Tamazuj by phone that he could not comment on the president's recent decision to create 28 new states.

He said that he does not know whether the president signed the decree or not, pointing out that he is outside of the country and cannot clarify the issue until receiving a briefing from Kiir.

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