Police in Aweil town have arrested a national taxation officer on Monday at around 3PM after he was found arguing with his friends on the creation of 28 states in South Sudan.

A source in Aweil town who preferred not to be named said that taxation officer was arrested at the bus park and taken into CID custody following his argument with friends, during which he expressed the opinion that the creation of 28 states needs to be reversed.

The arrested officer was identified to Radio Tamazuj by name, but we have chosen not to publish his name at this time.

“He was arguing with his friends on the issue of 28 states and this was his personal opinion that the 28 states should be reverse because the government is has no resources to develop them,” the source said.

The creation of 28 states has since been opposed by the SPLM-IO, IGAD, UNMISS and the European Union, which called the Establishment Order a violation of the peace agreement, but President Salva Kiir said it was a demand of the people.