Sudan’s former state minister of health has joined the South Sudanese opposition faction SPLM-IO. The ex-official hails from Lakes State, which is controlled by the SPLM-Juba faction but has witnessed high levels of violence this year. 

Mabor Marier Makoi served for several years in the Sudanese government based in Khartoum as state minister of health, before the separation of Sudan and South Sudan. He hails from Maliang Agok Payam of Lakes State but is based in Khartoum.

He said the reason for joining the rebellion is “because of the destruction that happened in South Sudan under the leadership of Salva Kiir."

Speaking at a press conference in Addis Ababa after his arrival from Khartoum, Makoi accused the SPLA-Juba of using untrained soldier and committing abuses including looting, rape and killings: “in Maper area especially they attacked people and killed people – small children. They attacked civilians.”

He also complained that there were no roads, hospitals or schools in his home area. He said development is not on the top agenda of President Salva Kiir.

“The situation is South Sudan is not good because citizens are being threatened by Salva Kiir,” he added

The former Sudanese official is one of several people from Lakes State to recently publically join the opposition.

These include former Ambassador to the United Nations Lumumba Stanislaus Di-Aping and former diaspora youth leader in Australia Makuer Mabor Mangar, both of whom joined SPLM-IO, as well as former Lakes State Governor Chol Tong who earlier this year became a founding member of the SPLM-G10 faction.

Photo: Mabor Marier Makoi (right) at a press conference in Addis Ababa with SPLM-IO politician Dhieu Mathok (left), 2 December 2014