A number of opposition parties and civil society groups challenged the constitutionality of the decree.

[6] In November the South Sudanese parliament empowered President Kiir to create new states.

[7] Chol Thon Balook was appointed Governor on 24 December 2015.

Eastern Nile State was located in the Greater Upper Nile region and the state borders the states of Latjoor and Eastern Bieh to the south, Western Bieh and Western Nile to the west, and the country of Ethiopia to the east.

[10] Other towns and villages in the state of Eastern Nile include Daga Post, Doleib Hill, Melut (located in Melut County), and Renk (located in Renk County).