Western Lakes State
| Western Lakes | |
|---|---|
| State | |
 Location of Western Lakes in South Sudan |
|
| Country | South Sudan |
| Capital | Rumbek |
| Number of Counties | 4 |
| 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.
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. 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. In November the South Sudanese parliament empowered President Kiir to create new states.
Abraham Makoi Bol was appointed as the governor on 24 December 2015.
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.
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).
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