On 9 March 2011, it was announced that two more states would be established in Darfur: Central Darfur around Zalingei and East Darfur around Ed Daein. The presidential decree making this official has not yet been released; the rebel groups protested and stated that this was a bid to further divide Darfur's influence. It was also announced that this change would not affect the planned referendum.[12] The cabinet of Sudan endorsed the plan for additional states in Darfur on 5 May 2011.[13]