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.

Fact Checked: Do South Sudan authorities have teargas?

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Author: A story fact checked by Viola Elias – AFF – Cohort 2 fellow

The National Police Service has responded to online claims that South Sudan authorities are running the country’s affairs without possession of teargas. 

Teargas is described as a gas that causes severe irritation to the eyes, chiefly used in riot control to force crowds to disperse.

On February 18, African Full Facts posted misleading information on its Facebook page, which claimed that South Sudan is the only country in the African continent without teargas. 

The post reportedly quoted the government saying, “whosoever demonstrates against the government will be ready to dodge a live bullet”.

But when fact-checked by the 211 Check team, national police spokesperson Major General Daniel Justine described the post as misleading and a fabricated information meant to tarnish South Sudan’s Image, saying the country has teargas. 

“We have teargases. But sometimes our people blame our forces that whenever there are small things, the police shoot live bullets, that is why they think we don’t have teargas” Justine stressed.

Gen. Justine went to say the National Police Service inherited teargases from the then Sudan, adding that they are even available in all the ten states, except in Upper Nile. 

“We have many teargases that we have inherited from Sudan and it is based in all the states. Maybe with the exception of Malakal, which was disrupted by conflict in the past” he added. 

However, 211 Check did not visit the gas storage venue to witness its stowage. The team plans to pay a visit when allowed. 

Note: Don’t engage yourself in online conversations that spread 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.

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.

Image blunder: Eye Radio uses wrong picture and caption to tell a story

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A misleading image

On 14th of March 2021, Eye Radio published a communal violence story where a cattle related attack reportedly left two people killed in Lake State. 

However, the story featured an image with a caption that stated the picture was taken in Yirol County of Lakes State, by the UN Food and Agriculture organization.

It was captioned, “Cattle in Yirol, Lakes State/Credit/FAO”.

Eye Radio’s caption and post

But when fact checked by the 211 team, it was identified that the image was taken at Niamana Livestock market, situated in Mali’s Capital, Bamako.  

The research indicated that the picture was taken by Stevie Mann, a commercial photographer who might have supplied the International Livestock Research Institute – an international agricultural research institute based in Nairobi, Kenya.

The image was taken with a Canon EOS-ID Mark II camera. The original picture is seen below.

Origin image

Due to critics on Facebook, Eye Radio changed the picture both on its website and Facebook page – a great ethical and professional move.

Note: To know about our fact-checking processes, click on 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.

Warrap State governor bodyguards are all live, he wasn’t attacked

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Warrap State governor didn’t fall into an ambush, all his bodyguards are alive, his Press Office has confirmed.  

Gen. Aleu Ayieng, the recently appointed governor of Warrap State in the unity government was not attacked and none of his bodyguards is dead, according to Albino Kuek – the governor’s Press Secretary.  

Kuek told 211 Check that the governor is on a State tour mission aimed at creating trust and peaceful co-existence among communities of Warrap and its neighbors.  

But the Facebook post which is now deleted by the poster, though it was screenshot by 211 team alleged that the governor fell into an ambush along Tonj South County road – an incident the poster claimed left 6 of his bodyguards killed.

“Aleu Ayieng, the governor of Warrap State is reported to have escaped an ambush on his way to Tonj South County, the attackers have claimed lives of 6 bodyguards when they attempted to exchange fire with armed youth, Emmanuel Monychol Akop and other reliable sources on ground have claimed” reads the Facebook post which is now deleted.

However, the link Facebook post still exist, and the screenshot can be seen below – https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2889732944643893&id=100008216473945&sfnsn=mo

Alleged post regarding the governor’s attack

The report also claimed that the development was confirmed by The Dawn Daily Newspaper Editor in Chief – Emmanuel Monychol Akop who is currently in Warrap State.

But when contacted by 211, Emmanuel Monychol said he didn’t share any information of that sort, stating that the news was misleading, “the move was designed as an attempt to spoil my public image”.

In a press statement issued by Albino Kuek Deng, Warrap State Governor’s Press Secretary seen by 211, he described the news as misleading information professed by anti-peace elements who want to cause confusion among the peace loving citizens of Warrap State.

“The Governor [Aleu Ayieny] is currently conducting rallies, disseminating peace messages. He is in Rualbat Payam of Tonj North County and will proceed to Kirrik Payam thereafter. The place is calm for the past two days the Governor has been here,” Albino said in a statement.

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.

A fabricated content, the incident happened in South Africa, not in South Sudan

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Authors: Story fact checked by Geu Lazarus and Garang Abraham

The alleged Facebook accident between a motorist and an elephant along the Juba-Nimule Highway over the weekend is a false information, according to a local official and online search engines.

On Saturday, a South Sudanese Facebook user claimed that a motorist collided with a troubled elephant along South Sudan’s major highway that connects the country to the East African region.

“First, he [driver] parked his car along the road and got out for peeing, as he was done, he immediately got into the car…and before he could start the engine, the troubled elephant came in a speedy and attempted to jump over the car but could it make it” the online user claimed via a Facebook post.

“The incident resulted in the breaking of the man’s leg. The survivor was picked by a Red Cross car that managed to coordinate through his undamaged phone. Now, he is undergoing treatment at Juba Teaching Hospital” he added.

When the 211 fact check team fact checked the picture used in the post, it was identified that the image used was taken in South Africa, but not in South Sudan as alleged by the poster.

According to various online search engines, the image was featured by Earth News Network on 8th of August 2014, in a story where a pair of tourists on a safari in South Africa found themselves in precarious situation, when a bull elephant decided to use their vehicle’s roof and bonnet to relieve an itch.

The same story was in the following year reposted by Dailymotion – a French video-sharing technology platform primarily owned by Vivendi on 14th of December 2015, explaining the same South Africa’s elephant/tourist related story.

In addition, Red Cross South Sudan Communication Unit revealed that their Eastern Equatoria State sub-offices didn’t record any related incident of such manifestation.

“I contacted our Western and Eastern Equatoria offices to find out whether such an occurrence was handled by Red Cross offices, they told me such a case was not registered over the weekend” said Marial Mayom, Red Cross South Sudan Communication Manager.

The two above evidence based investigations seemingly disqualifies the alleged story, which automatically categorized it under fabricated, misleading and satire types of misinformation.

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.