Who is this man? Is he Jamal Wani as claimed?

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Author: Woja Emmanuel

The man whose picture went viral on social media alleged to be South Sudan’s former Central Bank governor, mourning the death of Chadian President is a Juba-based Sudanese businessman, according to 211 Check findings. 

On Tuesday this week, South Sudan’s unity government delegation headed by the Presidential Adviser on National Security Affairs Tut Gatluak, Minister of Investment Dhieu Mathok, and the former Minister in the Office of the President Mayiik Ayii Deng, including some senior government officials traveled to Chad to pay tribute to the Late Chadian President Idris Deby.

Among the team was one gentleman many South Sudanese netizens described as a “hired mourner”, regarding his reaction upon reception in N’Djamena. 

His identity has caused controversy online with many users claiming he is a South Sudanese. Others claimed that he is Jamal Wani, South Sudan former Central Bank Governor. 

In a tweet on April 28, it was also claimed that the man “in black-grey top” in the below picture is Jamal Wani. Separate Facebook posts by a regular citizen reporters also made the same claims.

But, what is the truth?

When fact-checked, the man is identified as Elshazeli Abdelmajid, a Sudanese from Zaghawa. 

Abdelmajid is a Juba-based Sudanese businessman, who was part of the delegation to Chad headed by Tut Gatluak to deliver President Kiir’s Condolence Message on the passing of Idris Deby Itno. Reliable sources contacted by 211 Check alleged he is Tut Gatluak’s close friend.

Additional findings say the late former Chadian President, Idris Deby is Zaghawa by tribe and the guy [Elshazeli Abdelmajid] who accompanied the delegation is said to be related to the late based on ethnicity.

The Zaghawa people are an ethnic group of eastern Chad and western Sudan, including Darfur.

#FactsMatter, Don’t fall victim to fake news; let’s fight the spread of misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media.

To know about our fact-checking process, check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you immediate feedback. 

Jebel Kujur manipulated images fact checked

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Author: Emmanuel Bida

Online fact checking investigative findings regarding some recent pictures alleged to have been taken on top of Jebel Kujur in Juba have revealed those images as untrue. 

Last week, some photos made rounds on social media, especially on Facebook, that are perceived to have been taken at Jebel Kujur in Juba.

Two of the photos were shared widely by both some sensational FACEBOOK PAGES and individuals, depicting activities that they say “hikers do on the mountain top during their regular exercises”.

Hiking on Jebel Kujur has become a hobby for a notable number of Juba residents.

Below are a few examples of some images manipulated by some individuals.

First manipulated image
Second manipulated image

But, are these photos from Jebel Kujur? No, they are manipulated images, according to 211 Check investigations.  

The team of fact checkers Reverse Image Search images and online Photo-forensics software shows the photos to have been manipulated. They are probably photoshopped or edited using other sophisticated graphics applications. 

The first photo “Daggering_21.jpg”, alleged to have been taken at Jebel Kujur, was shared by Chiara Meatteli, a London based journalist, photographer and video maker in 2018. It originated from “Jamaica”.

In order to confirm it for yourself, here is the link to the Photo. 

Original image

The second photo that many online users believed to have been taken at Jebel Kujur, was shared on the Student Life website in an article titled: “Safe ‘sex’ at W.I.L.D.?” by Noah Charak, a sex columnist on October 8th, 2010. 

In the article, the photo depicts “daggering”, a form of dance popularized in Jamaica. Here is the link to the Photo. 

Original image

Note: To avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

To know about our fact-checking process, check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

Fact Checked: Did AU and MTN donate expired Covid-19 vaccines to S. Sudan?

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Author: Emmanuel Bida

Health officials have confirmed that the 59,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines donated by the African Union, Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and MTN were not expired as perceived by many South Sudanese.

Earlier this week, a prominent South Sudanese activist claimed that MTN that the African Union donated expired AstraZeneca vaccines to South Sudan.

 “So MTN donated for us expired 59,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines. We would’ve put such a huge number of people lives under risk. Big thanks to our medical experts for realizing and acting very fast. Kudos!” reads the Facebook post.

Activist’s Facebook post

Another tweet on 18th April by a prominent comedian, who has 5,920 followers on Twitter in a fun-related manner also did state that the AstraZeneca vaccines donated by MTN to South Sudan were expired.

“So, @MTNSSD donated expired vaccines to South Sudan? Did they think they were donating data bundles?” reads the tweet.

Comedian’s Tweet

Are contents shared above true? NO!

It is identified by 211 Check that the over 59,000 AstraZeneca Vaccines donated by the African Union, Africa CDC, and MTN arrived on Monday, 29th March 2021 to South Sudan, and were received by Ministry of Health’s Undersecretary Mayen Machut and MTN South Sudan Chief Executive Officer Gordian Kyomukama at Juba International Airport.

When contacted by 211 Check, a National Health Ministry official said the vaccines were supposed to be administered to over 29,000 healthcare workers across South Sudan.

So what happened?

On Tuesday April 13, 2021, an official from the Ministry of Health told Reuters News Agency that the vaccines expired and will not be used.

As can be seen in the below picture, the vaccines were manufactured on 16th October, 2020 and expired on 13th April, 2021.

Dr. Atem Riak Anyoun is the Director General for Primary Healthcare at the Ministry of Health.

As part of his job description, he oversees vaccine deployment across the country.

Dr. Atem confirmed to 211 Check on Friday that the 59,283 doses of the vaccines donated by the African Union and MTN on Monday, 29th March 2021 expired on 13th April 2021 and will not be used.

“The vaccines from MTN have expired on the 13th of April. We are not using any expired vaccines at all. When a vaccine expires, it will not be used and that is it” said Atem.

Note: This means that the AstraZeneca vaccines donated to South Sudan by the African Union, Africa CDC and MTN expired in the country two weeks after arrival.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 Incident Manager Dr. Richard Laku told journalists at the weekly media briefing on Sunday that they could not use the vaccines because the Drug and Food Control Authority doesn’t allow the use of medicines with such a short shelf lifespan.

SEE OUR FIRST FACT CHECK ON THE VACCINE EXPIRATION

Which vaccines are being used in South Sudan now?

The health authorities say they are currently using the 132,000 doses of the first batch of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines obtained directly from the COVAX facility last month. These vaccines are also expected to expire in July.

What is the safe lifespan of the AstraZeneca vaccines?

According to AstraZeneca, the vaccine can be stored, transported, and handled at normal refrigerated conditions (two-eight degrees Celsius/36-46 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least six months and administered within existing healthcare settings.

https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2021/covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca-confirms-protection-against-severe-disease-hospitalisation-and-death-in-the-primary-analysis-of-phase-iii-trials.html

#FactsMatter, let’s fight the spread of Covid-19 misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. Don’t fall victim of fake news.

Note: To avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

To know about our fact-checking process, check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you immediate feedback.

Fact Checked: Did Minister Mayen shoot into the air to disrupt Aweil’s football match?

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Author: Emmanuel Bida

Military officials have confirmed that Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Minister Peter Mayen did not shoot into the air to disrupt women’s football match in the Aweil town of Warrap State as reported by various citizen journalists and alternative media on social media platforms.

Over the weekend, many South Sudanese netizens and activists went online to condemn the act as seen in the below picture, which stated that Minister Mayen shot into the air, demanding the immediate removal of his alleged wife Aluel Garang from the field.

The news that went viral on both local and international media claimed that Minister Mayen on Saturday, 17th March 2021 shot into the air to disrupt an ongoing South Sudan’s Women’s League match between the Juba Super Stars and the Aweil Women team striking for the removal of his wife.

“Minister shoots to stop a football game and take his wife home,” reads one of the headlines. Another of the far-post reads, “South Sudanese Minister disrupts match to forcefully take out wife.”

“Peter Mayen opens fire at Aweil Freedom to protest wife’s participation in women’s game,” reads the headline of Sudans Post.

African Sports on Monday posted, “South Sudan’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs & Disaster Management Mr. Peter Mayen Majondit forced a women’s league to be stopped as he stormed the field with gunshots to demand the removal of his wife, Aluel Garang, known as Aluel Messi who plays for Aweil FC.”

Officials of Aweil Football Association also claim that the minister shot into the air to scare spectators around him, according to Eye Radio’s report.

What exactly happened?

According to some sources, Peter Mayen is alleged to have paid a surprising visit to her wife’s family home on Saturday only to find out their three-month-old baby (Mayen Junior) crying in absence of the mother. Inquiring the where-about of the mother, he was told Aluel was for a football match.

WATCH PETER MAYEN EXPLAINING THE INCIDENT ON EYE RADIO’S DAWN PROGRAM ON TUESDAY

He then went to the playground where he requested the Aweil coach to substitute his wife, Aluel Garang. It is alleged she was substituted. This indicates that there was no force used.

However, chaos ensued when spectators blocked his car from leaving, with gates closed, while others started hitting his car and reportedly threatened to beat him up.

As seen in these videos:

Peter Mayen Majongdit told the Juba Monitor newspaper on Sunday that he did not shoot into the air. He instead said his bodyguard opened fire to disperse surrounding crowds. According to him, he had gone to bring home his wife who has a small baby. 

South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) also says the substitution issue was amicably solved but the chaos started during the departure of the minister.

It should also be noted that the game did not stop. It was played full time.

What does the FIFA rules say about women on maternity?

211 Check talked to an official from the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) on whether they have independent rules governing football in the country and according to them, they work with rules channeled from FIFA which say, “A female player is entitled to maternity leave, defined as a minimum period of 14 weeks…”

Note: To avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

To know about our fact-checking process, check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you immediate feedback. 

Uganda’s NBS journalist makes a false statement

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Author: Emmanuel Bida and Garang Abraham

Uganda’s renowned media house has over the weekend run a false statement, regarding the distance between Uganda Elegu border town and South Sudan’s capital Juba, 211 Check investigation has found out. 

On Sunday, NBS Television – Uganda posted on its Facebook page quoting its journalist Daniel Lutaaya as saying that “the Ugandan drivers now have to drive for about 52 hours for a distance of 3,613 kilometers from Elegu to Juba”.

A screenshot of NBS Facebook post

For identity purposes, Elegu is a Ugandan town situated between Uganda-South Sudan border area neighboring Nimule town. 

When 211 fact checked the above NBS statement, the fact checkers team found out the information is false and misleading.

According to South Sudan Ministry of Roads and Bridges officials, the distance between Juba and Nimule is 192 km. 

In addition, the Information from Wikipedia also gives the same distance as seen in the below link.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juba%E2%80%93Nimule_Road

But, can that distance be covered in 52 hours (2 days and 4 hours) under the current circumstances as stated by NBS journalist?

211 Check contacted the Chairman of the Truck Drivers’ Association, David Kerote who said the distance between Elegu border and Juba is currently being covered in 4 hours’ time if long.

Findings by 211 Check also found out that the Journalist could have been misled by the following site that has provided similar details published by NBS Television as seen in the link below.

https://www.distancesfrom.com/ng/how-far-is-Juba-from-elegu/HowFarHistory/37360161.aspx#:~:text=The%20shortest%20road%20distance%20between%20Juba%20to%20elegu%20is%203613,fly%20from%20Juba%20to%20elegu

Don’t fall victim of fake news and avoid spreading misinformation.

#FactsMatter, let’s fight the spread of misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media.

Note: To avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

To know about our fact-checking processes, check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you immediate feedback. 

Fact Checked: Did President Kiir resigned and ran to Bor?

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Author: Viola Elias

A misleading post!

Juba Television – unregulated online media house with 211,184 followers a few hours ago posted that President Salva Kiir resigned and ran to Bor Town.  

“Breaking News: South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has resigned and run to Bor. This is a developing story” reads Juba TV post that has 376 likes, 167 comments and 16 shared by 2:30 CAT today.

When fact checked by 211, it was identified that the information is misleading and fake content which might/can harm the public.

According to Eye Radio official Facebook page, Press Secretary – Ateny Wek Ateny said President Kiir is in Bor on an official visit.

“It is an official visit to see things for himself starting from inspecting the road….and to see how people in Bor are copping after the flooding” said Ateny.

Here is the link to Eye Radio story: https://eyeradio.org/kiirs-bor-visit-is-political-economic-ateny/.  

According to Ateny, President Kiir is expected to return to Juba this evening.

Through Facebook Livestream, 211 Check has also witnessed Kiir addressing mob in Bor Town today.

Kindly, disregard the trending information that Kiir has resigned and please don’t engage yourself in any online mis/disinformation and hate related content.

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

Fabricated Wau protest video fact checked

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Author: Emmanuel Bida and Garang Abraham

A fabricated video!

Kindly disregard the current trending video on WhatsApp and Facebook which states that the then SPLA soldiers opened fire on protestors in Western Bhar-el-Ghazel State.

Earlier this morning, a video surfaced online indicating that some residents of Western Bhar-el-Ghazel State took to the streets in protest of government’s decision to relocate the state local council headquarter as seen in the video below.

When fact check by 211, the video was re-shared [fabricated] to incite people, following the recent protest in Juba over the death of prominent South Sudanese singer Trisha Cee who succumbed to her injuries after involving in a motor-bike accident over the weekend.

As reported by Al Jazeera’s Anna Cavell eight years ago, the incident happened on December 14 2012.

Residents of Wau town had gathered to protest against the relocation of a local council headquarter. At least nine people were reportedly killed in the protest.

Here is the link to the Aljazeera story: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/12/16/protesters-shot-at-by-south-sudanese-army

The British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC) also quoted the United Nations spokesperson who said South Sudanese army killed 10 people when it opened fire on demonstrators angry at the relocation of a local council HQ in the north-west of the country.

BBC story link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-20658915

It should be noted that there is no any development regarding any relocation of a council headquarter currently in Western Bhar-el-Ghazel State. Western Bhar-el-Ghazel State is yet to have it local government as stipulated in the 2018 peace agreement.

Beware of fabricated content and avoid sharing them for they can make you a victim or an agent of mis/disinformation.

To know about our fact-checking process, click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

Fact Check: Did Juba-Yei road ambush leave 9 Ugandans killed?

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Author: Emmanuel Bida and Garang Abraham

A misleading post!

South Sudan authorities have refuted media report which states that nine Uganda nationals were killed in South Sudan over the weekend.

The New Vision’s Tuesday edition specified that nine Uganda drivers were killed in a highway ambush along Juba-Yei road on Sunday.

“Nine Ugandan drivers shot dead in South Sudan, Sudanese rebels suspected to be behind killings” reads New Vision headline.

However, Paulino Lukudu – Central Equatoria Information Minister in his media briefing on Monday evening stated clearly that the Sunday Ganji incident left three Ugandans and one South Sudanese dead.

Radio Miraya also reported the same incident indicating the same data, bearing the death of three Uganda nationals.

Other related stories

Uganda’s Daily Monitor also reported that four Ugandan drivers were shot dead by unknown gunmen on Yei-Juba highway while heading to Juba for business – a data that is little bit similar to South Sudan’s one.

The deceases are identified as Stephen Amati, Dada Abugo, Ali Sonny and Sadam Noah, according to Koboko Resident District Commissioner – Mr Sazir Mayanja.

Here is the link to the Daily Monitor story: https://www.ntv.co.ug/ug/news/national/at-least-four-ugandans-die-in-south-sudan-roadside-ambush-3341306?utm_medium=social.

According to NTV as well, the ambush left there 4 Uganda nationals killed as seen in the below report. https://www.ntv.co.ug/ug/news/national/at-least-four-ugandans-die-in-south-sudan-roadside-ambush-3341306?utm_medium=social.

Though 21 Check couldn’t access the link to New Vison website, the source who spoke to New Vision might gave offered wrong information to such a prominent media house.

NB: It also need to be noted that there are no Sudanese rebels in South Sudan. Those behind the ambush are alleged to be The National Salvation Front armed men.  

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

S. Sudan is the first country to conduct national exams since Covid-19 emerged in Africa, Education Minister makes a false statement

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Author: Emmanuel Bida, AFF-Cohort 1 fellow

On Monday this week, 34,536 candidates across South Sudan began their 2020 Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations – a landmark ceremony that was officiated by President Salva Kiir Mayardiit, who ranged the bell at Juba Day Secondary School situated in the capital Juba.

During the occasion that was attended by various senior government officials including the presidential advisor on national security affairs – Tut Gatluak, the General Education and Instruction Minister – Awut Deng Acuil verbally lied to the public.

Minister Awut confidentially stated that South Sudan was the first country in Africa to conduct national examinations since the emergence of the novel coronavirus, which led to the closure of numerous schools and learning institutions across the continent, in adherence to the World Health Organization Covid-19 preventive measures.

This is what Minister Awut said:

“Your excellency, as time closed for the bell, the Ministry of General Education on behalf of its officials, teachers and students would like to present a small token of appreciation for keeping the education candled on in a very difficult time; time of COVID-19 and economic hardship but you never forgot that education is a priority and for that reason, we are the first country in Africa to conduct our national examination. So we are very happy to present to you this gift on behalf of the teachers and children?”

But when fact checked by 211 Check, it was identified that the Education Minister made a false statement.

In addition, 211 Check team found that some East and West African countries had conducted their national examinations.

As part of know your facts, below are some examples of the countries that conducted their national exams;

In West Africa, the West Africa Examinations Council (WEAC) conducted the West Africa Senior School Certificate of Education exams, which started on 17th of August 2020 and ended on September 12, 2020.

https://www.myschoolgist.com/ng/waec-may-june-timetable-free/

In East Africa – Uganda, the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) Examination started on the 1st March, 2021 and will end on the 6th April 2021.

https://uneb.ac.ug/ple-uce-uace-timetables-for-2020-out/

Background on the closure of schools and learning institutions in South Sudan

Schools and all learning institutions in South Sudan were closed on March 20, 2020 through a Presidential order, as part of preventive measures intended to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Six months later, the Ministry of Education and Instructions announced the reopening of schools for candidate classes only on 5th October 2020.
The Ministry also announced that other classes will resume on 5th April, 2021.


The Certificate of Primary Education Examinations in South Sudan started on 15th February and ended on 19th February this year.

Usually, primary examinations are conducted in November, while secondary schools exams are conducted in December of every year. However, due to delays linked COVID-19 crisis, the schedules were interrupted.

NOTE: South Sudan isn’t the first “AFRICAN COUNTRY” to conduct national examinations since the onset of the Covid-19.

Beware of CLAIMS AND FALSE STATEMENTS made by politicians, for they can make you a victim or an agent of mis/disinformation.

To know about our fact-checking process, click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

Did Eritrea and Ethiopia Heads of States visit South Sudan as alleged, No – Report states the facts

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Author: A story fact checked by Emmanuek Bida and DefyHateNow Ethiopia team

Ethiopia and Eritrea authorities have described the alleged recent visit of their heads of States to South Sudan as false and fabricated information meant to mislead the public.

On March 5, 2021, a post by Ethiopian prominent activist Natnael Mekonnen, an online user with 130K subscribers on Telegram and 240k followers on Facebook claimed that his country head of State, Prime Minister – Abiy Ahmed and Eritrea President Issias Afwerk had a courtesy visit to President Salva Kiir.

That very day, an online media institution – The SudansPost, which has 11K followers on Facebook also posted the same information claiming a visit of such nature.

Debunk:

However, when fact checked both South Sudan and Ethiopia DefyHateNow fact checking teams, it was identified that there was no such visit, qualifying the story as false, manipulated and fabricated types of misinformation.

First evidence: on March 5, 2021, the alleged visit date, Ethiopian Prime Minister was attending a book publication ceremony of “Yemedemer Menged” “The path to medemer” at this particular time.

Second evidence: The image used by one of the media institution to described the visit was taken on March 4, 2019.

On Eritrea’s President Side:

Third evidence: Yemane G/Meskel, Eritrea’s Information Minister retweeted the news and picture used by the personnel and media institution, signifying that the information is fake and shouldn’t be given attention.

Fourth evidence: EwnetCheck, a DefyHateNow’s fact checking project team contacted the Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation correspondent to the Prime Minister Office, that described the story as factually incorrect.

Fifth evidence: In South Sudan, 211 Check team contacted the Presidential Press Secretary, Ateny Wek Ateny who described the alleged visit as fake news.

Ateny said instead it was Sudan’s Chairperson of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al Buhran who visited Juba on 3rd March, 2021 and was welcomed by the President.

Note: False information spreads so first, kindly endeavor to always remain cautious while online. Don’t share any content you are not sure of or you don’t know its origin. Think before you click!

To know about our fact-checking process, click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.