Taban Deng Gai, the governor of Unity State who was ousted last week, has left South Sudan, according to several well-placed sources.

A witness told Radio Tamazuj that he saw the former governor in Dubai on 19 July, possibly en route to a third country, just days after a new caretaker governor had arrived in Unity State.

Another source in Bentiu, the capital of Unity State, confirmed that Taban Deng was no longer in the city.

A third well-placed source in Juba said that the ousted governor traveled on an Australian passport, and that he was seen on Monday in a market in Dubai. 

Gai was dismissed by decree unexpectedly on 14 July, the same day that President Salva Kiir swore into office in Juba a new caretaker governor, Dr. Joseph Nguen Monytuil.

The dismissal was made without explanation, and was protested by the outgoing governor as unconstitutional.

Monytuil, who arrived in Bentiu on 17 July, downplayed tensions with his predecessor and embarked immediately on a tour of institutions in the state including the state hospital and prison.

Update, 13:00 24 July 2013: Unity State Deputy Governor Michael Chiangjek has denied this report, saying that Taban Deng is still in Juba.