Citizens in Koma County in South Sudan’s Maiwut state want their area to be annexed to the newly created Northern Upper Nile state, a local official said.

Commissioner Hassan Bali told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the community of Koma does not want to remain part of Maiwut state, and demands annexation of their county to Northern Upper Nile state.

He pointed out that the community had earlier written a petition to the president demanding the annexation to Northern Upper Nile state but they are yet to receive any response.

The commissioner complained that the county lacks basic government institutions and basic services since its creation six months ago. He stressed that President Salva Kiir should consider the call as a matter of urgency.