Two legislators representing Jonglei state in South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly said partitioning of the state is the constitutional mandate of the Council of States which is the upper house of parliament in Juba.

 “I know it. The state members of parliament have been talking to us about the motion they raised and the outcome of the motion. But as the national legislature, this does not fall within the competence of the national legislative assembly. It is the competence of the Council of States,” Philip Thon Leek, member of national parliament representing Duk County, told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Atem Garang de Kuek who is representing Twic County in the national parliament, said creation of more administrative units falls within the powers of President Kiir and the legislative competence of the Council of States.

"The national legislature does not create states. It is the competence of the Council of States and the president of the republic to create more states depending on people’s demand. We are therefore hopeful that this issue of Jonglei will be given the attention it deserves and appropriate answers will be given,” Atem said.

Jonglei state lawmakers last week unanimously passed a motion to divide the state into Jonglei and Bor states with headquarters in Panyagoor and Bor respectively, but the governor said the issue needs wider consultations.