The UN says it does not formally recognize the 28 states created in October last year.

The SPLM in Opposition rejected the move, saying it is against the peace agreement, but the government insisted it was responding to a popular demand of the people.

In January this year, the IGAD Council of Ministers said the dispute over the creation of more states would be resolved be the transitional government.

The head of the UN mission in South Sudan, Ellen Margrethe Loj, says she expects the TGoNU to urgently address the issue, saying there are challenges around the country about how the boundaries have been drawn.

She says the situation in former Upper Nile state around Malakal is particularly sensitive because of the ethnic composition of the population.

Ms Ellen told a news conference in Juba on Wednesday, that in the meantime, the mission is not recognizing the 28 states but are dealing with officials on the ground on a daily basis.

She said the mission is waiting for the outcome of the discussion of the matter by the transitional government.