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More Defect From South Sudan's Troubled Yei River State

by Tito Justin

   JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN --

   Yei River County's commissioner and other local officials defected this
   week to a SPLM-In Opposition faction loyal to former South Sudan First
   Vice President Riek Machar, according to Yei River State officials.

   Bidali Cosmas Wori-Kojo is the second Yei River State official to
   defect to the SPLM-IO in recent weeks. Last month, Abraham Wani, deputy
   governor of Yei River State, joined the same SPLM-IO faction.

   Yei River State Information Minister Steven Lodu Onseimo confirmed
   Thursday that Commissioner Kojo and three other officials disappeared
   from Yei town earlier this week. He said two of the commissioner's body
   guards also defected.

   Map of South Sudan

   Lodu said the defectors took three government vehicles, but said state
   security agents recovered one of the cars. Lodu called the defections
   unacceptable.

   "The government of Yei River State still believes in the presidential
   amnesty declared to all those who have taken up arms against the
   government to lay down their arms and join the government to rebuild
   the country," Lodu said.

   It is the second time in as many months that Yei River State officials
   apparently defected to the SPLM-IO.

   Lodu said the defections do not reflect the attitude of most residents.

   "The defection of the four individuals is their personal decision and
   has nothing to do with any of their relatives or friends. So you can
   see a decision that was made by the commissioner himself. He just
   decided to one day take off," Lodu said.

   There have been dozens of reports of looting and killing by unknown
   gunmen in Yei River State over the past six months, forcing thousands
   of civilians to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighboring Uganda
   and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

   Lodu called on armed groups operating in the area to lay down their
   weapons and join the national army.

   "Report to the cantonment areas declared by the Transitional Government
   of National Unity under the wise leadership of his Excellency General
   Salva Kiir Mayardit in the greater Equatoria region or possibly
   reintegrate into the army," Lodu urged.

   Last week, President Kiir threatened to personally lead military
   operations against armed groups in Yei River State if armed opposition
   groups continued to cause insecurity.

   Lodu is calling on armed groups fighting government forces to
   peacefully air their grievances with officials and work toward
   restoring peace in Yei River.