![Bidali Cosmas Wori-Kojo, the Commissioner of Yei River County and a former Mayor of Yei Inspecting the slag bed construction site in the past [Photo credits: Gilbert Modi]](https://i0.wp.com/www.nyamile.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/yei-commissioner.jpg?resize=590%2C340)
The officials are believed to have defected with their soldiers and joined the SPLA-IO’s second division in Yei River County.
“The commissioner of Yei River County who was the former mayor of Yei municipality Hon.Bidali Cosmas wori- Kojo have defected to SPLA IO Division 2 in Yei River State. Hon. Bidali who is very influential defected with many soldiers to the SPLA IO base said the current government failed the people of south Sudan, it’s time for change.” Said SPLM-IO deputy spokesman, Nyarji Jermlili.
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Although Yei County has witnessed many atrocities since July the defectors cite insecurity as the main reason for their defection saying that the government has failed to protect local populations and unarmed civilians.
The defection of Commissioner Bidali, a former mayor of Yei Municipality, and his colleagues came a day after president Salva Kiir threatened to relocate his army headquarters to Yei to command troops from there in order to end an alleged killing of civilians on Juba-Yei road.
According to his supporters President Salva Kiir was intending to send a strong message to end a reported killing of his Dinka tribe in Equatoria, however, the speech has angered communities in Equatoria and other parts of the country.
It is not yet clear if the officials are defecting because of government failures to contain insecurity in Yei, however, a good number of Equatorians have defected to the opposition so far.
Since the resumption of war in July this year, Salva Kiir government has lost control of areas and major roads connecting the capital, Juba, with the rest of the country and the region.
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