Unity State

Unity State
Western Upper Nile
Location in South Sudan (2011–2015 boundaries)
Coordinates: 09°00′N 29°42′E / 9.000°N 29.700°E / 9.000; 29.700
Country South Sudan
RegionGreater Upper Nile
No. of counties:9
CapitalBentiu
Government
  TypeState
  GovernorHE.Major Gen. Justice Riek Bim Top Long
Area
  Total
37,836.39 km2 (14,608.71 sq mi)
Population
 (2014 estimate)
  Total
824,700
  Density22/km2 (56/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (CAT)
ISO 3166 codeSS-UY
HDI (2021)0.344
low · 7th of 10

Unity State, also known as Western Upper Nile, is a state in South Sudan. Unity State is in the Greater Upper Nile region. Unity is inhabited predominantly by two ethnic groups: the Nuer majority, and the Dinka minority.

In 2015, a presidential decree established a new system of 28 states, replacing the previously established 10. Unity State was replaced by the states of Ruweng, Northern Liech and Southern Liech. Unity State was re-established by a peace agreement signed on 22 February 2020 with smaller boundaries as the northern part of the former state became the Ruweng Administrative Area.