Country South Sudan Number of Counties 8 | Capital Wau | |
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Wau State is one of the 28 states of South Sudan that formed on 2 October 2015. It is located in the Bahr el Ghazal region, and was part of the former state of Western Bahr el Ghazal. Wau State borders Aweil State, Gbudwe State, Gogrial State, Lol State, and Tonj State.
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History
Before Wau state was formed, it's territory was part of the former state of Western Bahr el Ghazal. 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.
Elias Waya Nyipuoc was appointed as the governor for the state on 24 December 2015.
Geography
Wau State is located in the Bahr el Ghazal region and it borders Aweil to the north, Gogrial to the northeast, Gbudwe to the south, Lol to the west, and Tonj to the east.
Administrative divisions
After South Sudan was divided into 28 federated states in 2015, the newly constituted Wau State was divided into eight counties. These counties are Kuarjina County, Roc Roc Dong County, Marial Bai County, Odechy County, Kangi County, Busalia County, Bagari County, and Baili County. Each county also received a county commissioner.
Towns and cities
The capital of Wau State is the city of Wau. The city of Wau is located on the Jur River in the state, and it is the second largest city in the country with an estimated population of 151,320 people in 2008. Wau, South Sudan has its own airport, and the city is located 650 kilometers (404 miles) from the Juba, the capital.