Yei River County Commissioner, Bidali Cosmas Wori-Kojo and three other officials have defected to the armed opposition under the leadership of Dr Riek Machar, the state government has confirmed.
State Information Minister, Stephen Lado Onesimo says the commissioner defected on the night of October 22nd with three other officials, Radio Easter reports.
He says the other three officials are Peter Amaja, Godwill Wayi and Burhan Muhammad Diko.
Minister Lado says the defectors ran with three government cars, but security personnel managed to recover one.
The minister describes the defection of Yei Commissioner and other officials as personal decision, which has nothing to do with their relatives or friends.
He appeals for dialogue with the armed opposition to end continuous suffering of civilians.
Minister Lado says the state government continues to appeal to those who have taken up arms to respond to the presidential amnesty.
Radio Easter could not reach the alleged defectors for comments or confirmation.