Western Lakes State

Western Lakes
State

Location of Western Lakes in South Sudan
Country South Sudan
Capital Rumbek[1]
Number of Counties 4[2]
Government
 • Governor Abraham Makoi Bol
Population (2014 Estimate)
 • Total 546,240

Western Lakes is one of the 28 states of South Sudan formed on 2 October 2015. It is located in the Bahr el Ghazal region and was part of the former state of Lakes State. It borders Amadi State, Eastern Lakes State, Gbudwe State, Gok, Maridi State, Southern Liech State, and Tonj State.[3]

History

Before Western Lakes State was formed, it was part of Lakes State. On 2 October 2015, President Salva Kiir issued a decree establishing 28 states in place of the 10 constitutionally established states.[4] 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.[5] In November the South Sudanese parliament empowered President Kiir to create new states.[6]

Abraham Makoi Bol was appointed as the governor on 24 December 2015.[7]

Geography

Western Lakes State is located in the Bahr el Ghazal region and it borders the states of Tonj to the north and west, Southern Liech to the northeast, Maridi to the south, Amadi to the southeast, Gbudwe and Gok to the west, and Eastern Lakes to the east.[3]

Administrative divisions

After the ten states split up, Western Lakes State split even further into nine counties. These counties are Rumbek County (county seat: Rumbek), Eastern Bhar Naam County (county seat: Aduel), Wulu County (county seat: Wulu), Western Bhar Naam County (county seat: Pacong), Malueth County (county seat: Meen), Malek County (county seat: Malek), Aloor County (county seat: Maper), Bhargel County (county seat: Bhargel), and Amongping County (county seat: Amongpiny).[8][9]

Towns and cities

The capital of the state is Rumbek. Rumbek, with an estimated population of 32,083 in 2011,[10] is located 303 kilometers (188 miles) from Juba via air.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Fuel shortage hits Western Lakes capital". Sudan Tribune. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  2. ↑ Magok, Mabor Riak (1 March 2016). "Deputy Governor, Commissioners Appointed In Western Lakes State". Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Western Lakes State". south-sudan.biz. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  4. ↑ "Kiir and Makuei want 28 states in South Sudan". Radio Tamazuj. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  5. ↑ "Kiir pressured into taking decree to parliament for approval". Radio Tamazuj. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  6. ↑ "South Sudan's Kiir appoints governors of 28 new states". Sudan Tribune. 25 December 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  7. ↑ "South Sudan's President appoints 28 Governors, defies peace agreement". South Sudan News Agency. 24 December 2015.
  8. ↑ "9 Counties Established In Western Lakes State". Gurtong. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  9. ↑ "Nine new counties created in Western Lakes states". Sudan Tribune. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  10. ↑ "Rumbek (town)". www.tiptopglobe.com. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  11. ↑ "Distance from Rumbek to Juba". distancecalculator.net. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
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