A South Sudanese government official in Latjor state has defected to the rebels led by former vice president Riek Machar.

This is the latest resignation from the government, which is now negotiating with the opposition in Khartoum in an attempt to bring peace in the country.

Col. Gatwech Reath Gatluak, the commissioner of Ulang County, sent a one-page letter saying he would join the rebellion of former vice president Riek Machar.

“I have declared to join the SPLM/A-IO under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon,” he wrote in the letter seen b Radio Tamazuj on Friday.

Gatwech said he had been advised by his community to defect from the Kiir administration. The former commissioner also criticized the state governor’s leadership style.