Fashoda State (previously named Western Nile State) was a state in South Sudan that existed between 2 October 2015 and 22 February 2020.[3] It was located in the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan, and it bordered the country of Sudan to the north, and the southern Sudanese states of Eastern Nile to the east, Western Bieh to the southwest, and Ruweng to the west.[4]

Fashoda State
Location of Fashoda in South Sudan
Location of Fashoda in South Sudan
CountrySouth Sudan
CapitalKodok[1]
Number of Counties3[2]
Population
 (2014 Estimate)
 • Total155,602

History edit

Before the state was formed, the territory was part of the former state of Upper Nile. On 2 October 2015, President Salva Kiir issued a decree establishing 28 states in place of the 10 constitutionally established states.[5] The decree established the new states largely along ethnic lines. A number of opposition parties and civil society groups challenged the constitutionality of the decree. Kiir later resolved to take it to parliament for approval as a constitutional amendment.[6] In November the South Sudanese parliament empowered President Kiir to create new states.[7]

William Othuon was appointed Governor on 24 December 2015.[8]

Geography edit

The Western Nile State was part of the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan. The state shared borders with Sudan to the north, and the states of Eastern Nile to the east, Western Bieh to the southwest, and Ruweng to the west.[4]

Administrative divisions edit

When the state of Western Nile was formed, a total of three administrative divisions compromised the state. The counties that were compromised were Kodok County, Manyo County, and Panyikang County.[2]

Population and Towns edit

The town of Kodok was the most populous population cluster in the state. The population of the town in 2012 was placed at 7,709. The town of Kodok was also the capital of the state.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Atekdit, Ariik (13 February 2016). "Western Nile Governor Appoints State Cabinet". Gurtong. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Full list of Kiirs proposed new 28 states in S Sudan". Radio Tamazuj. 3 October 2015. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  3. ^ Mutambo, Aggrey. "S. Sudan govt agrees to reduce states to 10 to maintain peace". The East African. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Christian, Über. "Western Nile". south-sudan.biz. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  5. ^ "Kiir and Makuei want 28 states in S Sudan". Radio Tamazuj. 2 October 2015. Archived from the original on 5 July 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  6. ^ "Kiir pressured into taking decree to parliament for approval". Radio Tamazuj. Juba. 14 October 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  7. ^ "South Sudan's Kiir appoints governors of 28 new states". Sudan Tribune. Juba. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  8. ^ "South Sudan's President appoints 28 Governors, defies peace agreement". South Sudan News Agency. 24 December 2015. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2017.