Members of the state assembly in South Sudan's Warrap state, the home state of Salva Kiir, say citizens should stop complaining about the president's move to create 28 states and instead congratulate him on the decision.

"It is time our people stops criticizing every single decision of the government and learn how to appreciate and give congratulatory messages to the president for responding to the calls of the people to create more states in the country," said Bona Bhang Dhol, head of parliamentary committee for legal affairs and constitutional development.

Kiir's order to create new states has been labaled as unconstitutional and contrary to the peace agreement which is based on ten states.

Bona suggested that Kiir was responding to the will of the people when he acted to create 28 states.

"It was not [Kiir] who wanted to create more states. It was the people who have been going to him and asking him to create them," the lawmaker claimed. "Comrade Salva Kiir even said himself when announcing the presidential establishment order that he has given the people what they have been asking him to do all these years. So why not congratulate him since has now responded and gave the people what they wanted?"

Bona said the country should move forward instead of holding itself "hostage" to individual ambitions.

“There are more opportunities in implementing the creation of 28 states than we had in 10 states," Bona said. "There will be more institutions and many people will have the opportunities to serve in the new institutions. Let us take it as an opportunity to take services close to the people. Government officials will now be close to their people."