Gbudwe bordered the states of Lol, Maridi, Tambura, and Western Lakes, and also the province of Haut-Uélé in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Haut-Mbomou in the Central African Republic.

[6] 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.

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

[10] Other towns and villages in the state include Ezo, Nzara, and Tombura.