Establishment Order number 36/2015 AD.

This Presidential Order creates 28 States in South Sudan. The Order is based on provisions of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan of 2011 as amended in 2015, and in particular on Article 36 (1), which provides for the promotion of democratic principles and political pluralism guided by the principles of decentralization and devolution of power to the people through the appropriate levels of government where they can best manage and direct their affairs and Article 166 (6) (a) & (b), which provides for the promotion of self-governance and enhance the participation of people and communities in maintaining law and order and promoting democratic, transparent and accountable local government and establishing local government institutions as close as possible to the people. The fundamental objectives of this Order are to: Devolve power and resource closer to the rural people; Gradually, reduce the size of the national government, thus the financial resources at the national level which shall also be progressively devolved to and in favor of the states and local governments; Attract, encourage and mobilize national experts to work at the state and county levels; Promote social and economic development among the rural communities.
The new States shall have executive and legislative powers as per Schedules B, C, D and E of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan.