Machar’s long-time bodyguard wants Unity state deputy governor

JUBA – One of the most close bodyguards of South Sudan’s First Vice President and SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny is saying that he is running for deputy governor of the country’s Unity state.

Colonel Gabriel Kuok Dang said in a statement on Friday that he is resigning as Machar’s bodyguard and said he is running for the political position saying he is the right candidate to achieve peace and unity among people of Unity state.

“I do hereby present myself to contest for deputy governor of Unity state because I do believe that I’m the right candidate to bring the scattered communities together as disunity among our people is deeply rooted,” Kuok said in a statement extended to Sudans Post adding that he “need to fix the social fabric as quick as possible.”

“I’m willing and very ready to sacrifice myself to my people to regain our past status as peaceful and loving communities of unity state as whole,” he added.

It is unclear what the military officer who has never worked in civilian role will achieve, but he also has among his objectives issues of “health and education as well as development at all levels of local governments.”

“I understand the worst situations facing our state as result of both flood waters and hunger,” he said, appealing for the support of the people of Unity state for him.