According to the decree, the permanent status for Darfur will be decided via a referendum to be conducted simultaneously in three Darfur states. The referendum will be on two options whether the region should remain on its current status or should it be united as one Darfur region.

It is said that the administrative status of the Darfur region constitutes a major issue as some Darfur rebel groups demand that Darfur be one region instead of three states.