President Salva Kiir has asked some of the new governors to be ready to step down for SPLM IO members when time comes.

The leaders were sworn-in this morning. However, if the government and the opposition led by Dr Riek Machar form the interim government next month, some of the newly appointed governors could be asked to give up their positions.

“You have to step down if you’re asked to, because without [doing so], we cannot implement the agreement,” President Kiir told the governors during the swearing in ceremony.

The governors who will be affected by the return of SPLM-IO include Eastern Nile, Western Nile, Ruweng, Northern Liech, Southern Liech, Western Bieh, Eastern Bieh, and Latjoor.

Meanwhile, President Kiir has said the appointment of the 28 governors is not a violation of the peace agreement.

Kiir was responding to calls from the opposition to ‘rescind’ the decision.

The president says the states were a popular demand.

“The people have been demanded [these states] for long time and I really have to thank the people of South Sudan for their patience, waiting for the 28 states.”