President Sava Kiir's decision creating new states in addition to the existing ones in South Sudan over the weekend was a popular demand of citizens in the newly established areas, a spokesman for the presidency said.

In presidential decree read out on state-run SSBC on Saturday, Kiir created Central Upper Nile state, Northern Upper Nile state, Latjor state, Maiwut state, Bieh state, Akobo state, Tombura state and Gbudue state.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj yesterday, Ateny Wek Ateny, presidential spokesman, said the presidential decree creating new states was a popular demand.

 “The decision to create new states came as a result of demands by the people and politicians of those areas,” said Ateny.

Separately, Ateny Wek pointed out that President Kiir’s decree removing the Governor of Central Bank Kornelio Koriom Mayiik and his deputy John Dor Majok was a normal administrative exercise.

“The decision to remove the governor of the central bank and his deputy was a normal change, because the governor was working under a contract for five years. So, his contract ended, that’s why a new bank governor has been hired,” he said.

 South Sudan is now experiencing economic crisis with the local currency losing 80% of its value after it was floated against the US dollar last year.

File photo: President Kiir