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States of South Sudan
2011-2015 and from 2020

States:  Central Equatoria - Eastern Equatoria - Jonglei - Lakes - Northern Bahr el-Ghazal - Upper Nile - Unity - Warrap - Western Bahr el-Ghazal - Western Equatoria - Administrative Areas: Abyei - Pibor - Ruweng -

Note: Following the 2005 peace agreement, the Government of Southern Sudan administered the 10 southern states of The Sudan (see Sudan states). At independence on 9 Jul 2011, these became the 10 states of the Republic of South Sudan. During the civil war of 2013-2018 on 29 Dec 2015 the government dissolved South Sudan's 10 states and created 28 new ones (not recorded in this record). In Jan 2017, President Salva Kiir decreed a further subdivision of the country from 28 into 32 states. On 22 Dec 2014, rebel leader and former vice president Riek Machar declared the 10 states of South Sudan dissolved and the formation of 21 new states in a federal system. The declaration was not recognized by the South Sudanese government and largely not effected. On 22 Feb 2020, the parliament adopted constitutional amendments returning the country to the 10 original states, they were effected 29 Jun 2020. As of 2022, the last elections of state governors were held in 2010, afterwards all the governors were appointed by the president of South Sudan.

Party abbreviations: SPLM = Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (ethnic Dinka dominated, est.31 Jul 1983); SPLM-IO = Sudanese People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (Riek Machar faction of SPLM, ethnic Nuer dominated, 2013-2018 in rebellion, est.2013); SSOA = South Sudan Opposition Alliance (coalition of several small groups, est.2018)

States

Central Equatoria

[Central Equatoria state former flag (South Sudan)]
Former Flag
[Central Equatoria state (South Sudan)] 
Adopted c.2011

 9 Jul 2011                Central Equatoria state.
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  Divided into Jubek, Terekeka, and Yei River states.

Governors
18 Jul 2005 - Aug 2015     Clement Wani Konga (Kilimant Wani)                     SPLM
                             (acting to 30 Sep 2005)
Aug 2015 - 29 Dec 2015     Juma Ali Malou (caretaker)                             SPLM
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  State divided
29 Jun 2020 -              Emmanuel Adil Anthony                                  SPLM


Eastern Equatoria
[Eastern Equatoria state old flag (South Sudan)]
Former Flag
[Eastern Equatoria state (South Sudan)]
Adopted c.2011

 9 Jul 2011                Eastern Equatoria state.
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  Divided into Imatong and Namorunyang (renamed Kapoeta
                             in 2017) states.

Governors
20 May 2010 - 29 Dec 2015  Louis Lobong Lojore (1st time)    (b. 1962/65)         SPLM
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  State divided
29 Jun 2020 -              Louis Lobong Lojore (2nd time)    (s.a.)               SPLM

Jonglei 

[Jonglei state former flag (South Sudan)]
Former Flag
[Jonglei state (South Sudan)]
Current Flag

 9 Jul 2011                Jonglei state.
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  Divided into Akobo (from 2017), Boma, Eastern Bieh
                            (renamed Bieh in 2017), Jonglei, and Western Bieh
                            (renamed Fangak in 2017) states.

Governors
17 Dec 2007 - Nov 2013     Kuol Manyang Juuk                 (b. 1945)            SPLM
Nov 2013 - 29 Dec 2015     John Kong Nyuon (caretaker)                            SPLM
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  State divided
15 Jul 2020 -              Denay Jock Chagor                 (b. 1975)            SSOA


Lakes

[Lakes state old flag (South Sudan)]
Former Flag
[Lakes state 2011 flag (South Sudan)]
Former Flag c.2011
[Lakes state (South Sudan)]
Current Flag

 9 Jul 2011                Lakes state.
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  Divided into Eastern Lake, Gok, and Western Lake states.

Governors
28 May 2010 - Jan 2013     Chol Tong Mayay Jang                                   SPLM
Jan 2013 - 29 Dec 2015     Matur Chul Dhuol (caretaker)      (b. 1954? - d. 2024) SPLM
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  State divided
29 Jun 2020 - 8 Jun 2021   Makur Kulang Liel                                      SPLM
 8 Jun 2021 -              Rin Tueny Mabor                                        SPLM


Northern Bahr el-Ghazal

[Northern Bahr el Ghazal state old flag (South Sudan)]
Former Flag
[Northern Bahr el Ghazal state (South Sudan)] 
Current Flag

 9 Jul 2011                Northern Bahr el-Ghazal state.
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  Divided into Aweil and Aweil East states.

Governors
27 Mar 2008 - Apr 2014     Paul Malong Awan Anei             (b. 1962)            SPLM
Apr 2014 - 14 Apr 2015     Kuel Aguer Kuel (caretaker)                            SPLM
14 Apr 2015 - Aug 2015     Salva Chol Ayat (caretaker)       (b. 1965)            SPLM
Aug 2015 - 29 Dec 2015     Akot Deng Akot (caretaker)                             SPLM
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  State divided
29 Jun 2020 -              Tong Akeen Ngor                   (b. 1965)            SPLM


Upper Nile
[Upper Nile state former flag (South Sudan)]
Former Flag
[Upper Nile state flag (South Sudan)] 
Possible Current Flag

 9 Jul 2011                Upper Nile state.
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  Divided into Eastern Nile (renamed Central Upper Nile
                             in 2017), Latjor, Maiwut (from 2017), Northern Upper
                             Nile (from 2017), and Western Nile (renamed Fashoda
                             in 2017) states.

Governors
25 May 2010 - Aug 2015     Simon Kun Puoch                   (b. 1955)
Aug 2015 - 29 Dec 2015     Chol Thon Balok (caretaker)                            SPLM
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  State divided
29 Jun 2020 - 30 Jan 2021  Vacant
                           (secretaries-general of 5 former states acting jointly)
30 Jan 2021 - 26 Jan 2023  Abudhok "Budhok" Ayang Kur                             SPLM-IO
26 Jan 2023 -              James Odhok Oyiay                                      SPLM-IO


Unity

[Unity state former flag (South Sudan)]
Former Flag
[Unity state (South Sudan)] 
Current Flag

 9 Jul 2011                Unity state.
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  Divided into Northern Liech, Ruweng, and Southern
                             Liech states.

Governors
30 Sep 2005 - Dec 2015     Taban Deng Gai                    (b. 1950)            SPLM
Jul 2013 - 29 Dec 2015     Joseph Nguen Monytuil (1st time)                       SPLM
                             (caretaker)
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  State divided
29 Jun 2020 -              Joseph Nguen Monytuil (2nd time)                       SPLM


Warrap

[Warrap state former flag (South Sudan)]
Former Flag
[Warrap state (South Sudan)] 
Current Flag

 9 Jul 2011                Warrap state.
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  Divided into Gogrial, Tonj, and Twic states.

Governors
25 May 2010 - Dec 2015     Nyandeng Malek Deliech (f)        (b. 1964)            SPLM
Aug 2015 - 29 Dec 2015     Akech Tong Aleu (caretaker)                            SPLM
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  State divided
29 Jun 2020 - 28 Jan 2021  Bona Panek Biar                                        SPLM
28 Jan 2021 - 18 Nov 2022  Aleu Ayieny Aleu                  (b. 1956)            SPLM
18 Nov 2022 - 23 Nov 2023  Manhiem Bol Malek                                      SPLM
23 Nov 2023 -              Kuol Mur Mur                                           SPLM


Western Bahr el-Ghazal

[Western Bahr el Ghazal state former flag (South Sudan)]
Former Flag
[Western Bahr el Ghazal state (South Sudan)] 
Current Flag

 9 Jul 2011                Western Bahr el-Ghazal state.
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  Divided into Lol and Wau states.

Governors
18 May 2010 - 29 Dec 2015  Rizik Zachariah Hassan                                 SPLM
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  State divided
29 Jun 2020 -              Sarah Cleto Hassan Rial (f)       (b. 1967)            SPLM-IO


Western Equatoria

[Western Equatoria state former flag (South Sudan)]
Former Flag
[Western Equatoria state (South Sudan)] 
Current Flag

 9 Jul 2011                Western Equatoria state.
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  Divided into Amadi, Gbudwe, Maridi, and Tambura
                             (from 2017) states.

Governors
26 May 2010 - Aug 2015     Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro                                Ind
Aug 2015 - 29 Dec 2015     Patrick Raphael Zamoi (caretaker)                      SPLM
29 Dec 2015 - 29 Jun 2020  State divided
29 Jun 2020 -              Alfred Futuyo Karaba                                   SPLM-IO

Administrative Areas

Abyei: see under The Sudan

Pibor

[Pibor Administrative Area (South Sudan)]

29 Jun 2020                Pibor Administrative Area, directly under the central
                             government (formed from most of former Boma state).

Chief administrators
29 Jun 2020 -  9 Jun 2021  Joshua Konyi Irer                                      SPLM
 9 Jun 2021 - 24 Apr 2024  Lokali Amae Bullen                                     SPLM
24 Apr 2024 -              Gola Boyoi Gola                                        SPLM

Ruweng

[Ruweng Administrative Area (South Sudan)]

29 Jun 2020                Ruweng Administrative Area, directly under the central
                             government (formed from the former Ruweng state).

Chief administrators
29 Jun 2020 -  8 Jun 2021  William Chol Awolich                                   SPLM
 8 Jun 2021 - 20 May 2022  Peter Dau Chopkuer                                     SPLM
20 May 2022 -  3 Jun 2022  Tiop Monyluak (did not take office)                    SPLM
 8 Jun 2022 -              Stefano Wieu de Mialek                                 SPLM




© Ben Cahoon