Those who oppose 28 states in South Sudan are like “people trying return a newborn baby to its mother’s womb” and are against the development the nation, accordong to Paul Ariath, a parish priest at St. Joseph Catholic church in Kuacjok in the proposed Gogrial state of Warrap.
In October, President Salva Kiir changed the number of states from 10 to 28. The SPLM-IO has objected to the border demarcations in the plan, and IGAD has spoken out against the plan.
Ariath, speaking before hundreds of church congregants on Sunday, said South Sudanese should appreciate the creation of new states instead of objecting to them.
“I heard there are people who are confusing youth by saying that 28 states will be reversed,” Ariath said. “I want to tell you that changing 28 states will never take place.”
Related:
IGAD asks S Sudan to pause 28 states plan (Jan 31)
Map analysis: Ethnic balance to change if 28 states approved (Nov 22)
Dinka Council: Kiir added 4 states to our proposal (Oct 29)