The National Alliance of opposition political parties has criticized the creation of more states, saying it violates both the constitution and the agreement on the resolution of the conflict.

Last Friday, the President issued a decree increasing the number of states to 28.

The Chairperson of the political parties’ alliance, Dr. Lam Akol, says the order should have been discussed in the parliament before the president issues the order.

He said at a press conference in Juba on Monday that there should have been criteria for creating the states.

“The parliament must exert its power. It’s elected in order to exercise particular power,” Dr Akol argued.

For his part, the Legal Advisor to the President, Lawrence Korbandy, said the creation of the states is legal.

He told diplomats in Juba on Monday that the President has set a basis for discussions in the constitutional amendment process.

One of the diplomats questioned the timing, but Korbandy said this was the right time to do so.

“The time is in place and in fact it’s the right time,” he said.