Angok Arthur Akuien Chol, the son of former finance minister Arthur Akuien Chol, yesterday announced he joined the main South Sudanese rebel movement fighting the government of Salva Kiir.

“Today I declare my utmost support and allegiance to the SPLM/A-IO under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny, and to all comrades aligned to the historic reformist movement,” he said.

Angok is also a son in-law of the Chief of General Staff of the SPLA-Juba, General Paul Malong Awan, married to his daughter Achol. He previously served as chairman of a youth initiative for the greater Bahr el Ghazal region.

In a statement yesterday, Angok said that the ongoing civil war war was hurting citizens but benefiting “a few government beneficiaries only” through corruption and misuse of public funds.

He further cited “the growing division of South Sudanese along tribal and regional lines” as a significant reflection of poor governance.

The son-in-law of the army chief of staff called on South Sudanese citizens, in particular the youth, to rise up against the “dictatorial way of governance” to create a reformed government.

File photo: Angok Arthur Akuien addressing journalists in Aweil in 2011 (Julius Uma/Sudan Tribune)