Fact-check: No, the Government of South Sudan is not giving free loans

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A viral social media post claiming that the government of South Sudan is giving its people free loans is a scam.

Writer: Jibi Moses 

A post making viral appearances on social media, mainly Facebook and WhatsApp, claiming that the government of South Sudan is giving its people free loans is false.

A Facebook page, PlusAtlas FTW, first shared the post on the 7th of March, 2023, with a caption, “Did you know you could be favoured with a government loan for your business or home? See options here…”

The post, which is a sponsored Facebook ad, has attracted over 180 reactions, 40 comments and four shares. It had mixed reactions from the public as some people doubted its authenticity while others showed interest in how to access these government loans. 

A screenshot of the post from the Facebook page.

Investigation:

Due to the suspicion raised from the post and the comments given by most people, 211 Check had to make a thorough investigation into it.

However, clicking the links provided on the post will direct one to a page with a small heading reading Related searches. Money, Government credits to start a business, Grants for small businesses, money Help and Loans for small companies.

The above websites are all unrelated and have different content, much as they appear genuine and for well-established companies, for example, Brookfield and Standard Chartered Bank Vuka. 

They claim to offer services ranging from banking, housing and other investments. Yet, these entities are neither established in South Sudan nor working in conjunction with the government of South Sudan in any way.

A Google search for free government loans in South Sudan returns no results. And finally, they are not giving out free loans either in the other parts of the world or in South Sudan.

The Bank of South Sudan, the central bank that regulates financial entities in the country, has no information about the said loan.

Screenshot of the whois analysis of Vuka.co.ke

One of the companies that you will be directed to when you click on the money tab. Vuka is a Kenyan company.

Conclusion:

The claim that the government of South Sudan is giving its people free loans, as made in a viral post on social media, is false. 

211 Check finds that the links provided on the post direct users to unrelated websites with different content, and a Google search for free government loans in South Sudan yielded no results. The central bank of South Sudan, which regulates financial entities in the country, has no information about such a loan.

Fight misinformation in mainstream and alternative media by not being a victim of fake news. Refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or don’t know where it comes from to prevent spreading false information. For more information on our fact-checking process, visit https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim. Our team will fact-check it and respond promptly. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: Customs market battery photo traced to Zambia

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According to google’s reverse image, the image was taken in Zambia and first posted on Zambia Reports’ Facebook page on 2/03/2023.

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

South Sudan Exposed, a South Sudanese online publication, posted on its Facebook a picture claiming it was taken in Custom, a market in the South Sudan capital, Juba city.

The post was captioned ‘somewhere in Custom market’ by South Sudan Exposed, which writes on various news in the whole country with 9,400 likes and over 10,000 followers on Facebook. 

The post with the picture allegedly taken at the Customs market portrays fake batteries sold as new in the Custom Market.

A screenshot of a fake battery from the South Sudan Exposed’s Facebook page

Investigation:

On doing a Reverse Image Search on Google, the 211 Check team found that this image was first reported in Zambia by a local online news organisation named Zambia Report. 

According to the Zambia Report Facebook page, the batteries are sold at Matero – Lusaka, Zambia.

We could not track down any reputable news outlets that reported on the alleged incident.

A screenshot of Zambia Report Facebook page post

Conclusion:

The claim that a battery photo was taken in Customs Market is false. A Google reverse image search shows that the image originated from Zambia, not the Juba Customs market.

Fight misinformation in mainstream and alternative media by not being a victim of fake news. Refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or don’t know where it comes from to prevent spreading false information. For more information on our fact-checking process, visit https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim. Our team will fact-check it and respond promptly. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: No, an Angel didn’t appear in Rumbek town

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No, this picture has been used in Zambia and Kenya. All the evidence shows that this picture didn’t originate from Rumbek, South Sudan

Writer: Jibi Moses

An image posted on a local online Facebook page Juba Eye, claiming an Angel was seen in Rumbek town, is false.

The post that reads, “An Angel has reportedly appeared in Rumbek town this evening”, attracted over one thousand reactions, three hundred comments and thirty-six shares. However, from the comments people were already making on the posts, there were concerns.

A screenshot of the image reported to have been An Angel in Rumbek. 

Investigation:

A reverse image search on Google by 211 Check returns results showing that the image in the post had been used before in Zambia, with the same claim of an Angel spotted in Mongu Zambia by a Facebook user in the name of Hon Chardrin Nseema Nseemanini- Speaks.; further still, it has been used in other social media pages as shown in here, here, and here,

The same claim was fact-checked in Kenya by Kenyan.co.ke, an online news outlet by a journalist Maureen Njeri, on 4 March 2023. A YouTube video posted on the 5th of March, 2023, gives more clues after the ‘angel’ was reportedly seen in the Gaturi area, Murang’a County in Kenya.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that an Angel appeared in Rumbek town false. Reverse image searches very clearly tell that no Angel was seen in Rumbek. 

Fight misinformation in mainstream and alternative media by not being a victim of fake news. Refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or don’t know where it comes from to prevent spreading false information. For more information on our fact-checking process, visit https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim. Our team will fact-check it and respond promptly. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: This man with dog meat was not arrested at Gudele One

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Much as the man pictured while handcuffed was with what seems to be dog meat, he wasn’t arrested in South Sudan’s capital Juba, along Gudele Street.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A Facebook page in the name of Atar News made a viral post with a picture of a man alongside meat and in handcuffs, but the claim is false.

The page claimed the man in the picture shared had been selling dog meat along Gudele Street in Juba city for about a year. “A businessman was caught slaughtering dogs in Gudele One. The man was a roasted meat seller along Juba – Gudele road,” the post partly reads.

The post attracted over 30 reactions, ten comments and eight shares in less than a day.

A screenshot of the post made by Atar News

Investigation:

On running a reverse image search on Bing and Google, several results showed that the same picture was used in  Uganda with the same claims of dog meat selling attached. Here are some links used on Twitter (1, 2, 3) and YouTube videos.

We could not find credible media sources reporting on this alleged incident in South Sudan. Therefore, it is important to approach this claim with scepticism until further evidence supports its veracity.

Conclusion: 

The above picture was neither taken on Gudele Street nor in South Sudan. This misinformation can cause mistrust in the population about people who sell meat, especially those selling roasted meat alongside the ways. 

Fight misinformation in mainstream and alternative media by not being a victim of fake news. Refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or don’t know where it comes from to prevent spreading false information. For more information on our fact-checking process, visit https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim. Our team will fact-check it and respond promptly. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: A Facebook post saying banks in South Sudan are approving loans is a scam

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There is no South Sudanese bank giving out loans, this is another online fraud. It shows how scammers use fake loan adverts to trick people into giving their personal information.

Writer: Jibi Moses 

Beware of loan scams on social media! A post with the bold headline “New Loan, Apply for up to $16000” is making rounds on social media in South Sudan. The post claims that banks in the country approve loans of up to $20,000, even for those with debt, and provides a link for interested individuals to click to access the loan money. However, the post is nothing but a scam.

The page behind the post, named Finance-Personal loans, introduces itself as Escrow, and it is neither rated nor has any reviews. Only a few people reacted to the post, but some expressed interest in the opportunity.

The link in the post leads to a page that asks how much money you need and provides four options to choose from. Clicking on any of the figures takes you to the next page, which looks a little suspicious. The page asks if you have a credit card and gives you three options to choose from: “Yes,” “No,” or “No, I would like to.”

Screenshot of the false post on Facebook

A screenshot of the main advert of the post.

After selecting an option, you will be directed to another page where you need to confirm that you are not a robot. After that, you will be redirected to a website owned by M&T Bank, an American bank holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York.

The website has unclear instructions, but a small instruction says, “I need my loan.”

The template where one is given the options of money amount 

“When you click on any of the amounts or figures above, the next slide appears scary and suspicious.

“Do you have a credit card?” is the question presented, with the options of “Yes,” “No,” or “I would like to.” You must select an option to continue.”

“Whatever choice you make, you will be directed to the next page, where you will be asked to confirm that you are not a robot. 

This is a website of M&T BANK with unclear instructions, except for a small instruction that I need for my loan.”

Upon investigation, it was discovered that the link provided in the post, when analysed on Whois, was for a different company called Returso. M&T Bank has no branch in South Sudan or dealings in the country. Therefore, the post is nothing but a scam, and no banks in South Sudan are giving out loans to anyone.

Screenshot showing Whois information for the scam site

Screenshot showing Whois information for M&T Bank

M&T BANK

Meanwhile, M&T Bank Corporation is an American Bank holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. It has no branch in South Sudan nor any dealings in the country.

Conclusion:

Based on the information presented, the entire article appears to be fraudulent since no South Sudan banks provide loans to individuals. The two organisations, Returso and M&T Bank mentioned do not have a presence in this region, and their websites do not indicate any offers for free loans.

Scammers use these tricks for fishing out people’s personal details, which they later use for personal gains. These personal details include email addresses, bank account information, social media accounts, and more. It is important to remain vigilant and protect oneself against cybercrime.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Before applying for any loans, research and check the authenticity of the institution offering the loan. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Fight misinformation in mainstream and alternative media by not being a victim of fake news. Refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or don’t know where it comes from to prevent spreading false information. For more information on our fact-checking process, visit https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim. Our team will fact-check it and respond promptly. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: This image was not taken in Juba

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A viral picture claiming to have been taken in Juba, South Sudan, of someone sleeping outside under a mosquito net due to an alleged earthquake was taken in Uganda in June 2022.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A viral picture was posted on social media claiming to have been taken in Juba, but this is unproven. Among these pages that shared the claim are Aweil TV and a Facebook user name Sir Yol Isaac. Together the posts garnered over 80 reactions.

The post, which the owner posted at the end, was posted when a rumour was making rounds alleging the purported occurrence of an earthquake in  Juba, the capital city of South Sudan and other parts of the country.

The photo appears to show someone sleeping outside under a mosquito net after people were told not to sleep inside their houses to avoid fatalities—a rumour debunked by 211 Check.

A screenshot of the image.

A reverse image search by 211 Check on the image shows that it was once used by Juba, South Sudan, in September 2022. It partly reads, “..This life has no balance, with images of tears of South Sudanese citizens.”

It appears to have been first posted on June 19, 2022, by Muvistar SaveLife Youth Foundation Uganda, a community-based nonprofit, with the caption, “I was amazed seeing this boy trying to save his life from Malaria by setting up a Mosquito net. Street Children’s influence increases every day in the urban cities of Uganda.”

It was also shared on Twitter here on October 23, 2022.

Conclusion:

The viral image claiming to show someone sleeping outside under a mosquito net in Juba, South Sudan, due to an alleged earthquake, is false and originated in Uganda in June 2022, according to a reverse image search by 211 Check. It highlights the importance of fact-checking viral images before sharing them on social media platforms to avoid spreading misinformation.

Fight misinformation in mainstream and alternative media by not being a victim of fake news. Refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or don’t know where it comes from to prevent spreading false information. For more information on our fact-checking process, visit https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim. Our team will fact-check it and respond promptly. #FactsMatter

Data Story: 10.23% rise in the number of students registered for the certificate of secondary education examinations this year

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35,459 candidates registered for the CSE exams in the academic year 2022/23, with 22,920 males and 12,539 females. Last year, 32,167 candidates registered, with 21,799 males and 10,368 females.

Writer: Emmanuel Bida Thomas

The Ministry of General Education and Instruction released the schedule for the 2022/23 Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) Examinations last week, which will take place from March 20 to March 31, 2023.

According to Awut Deng Acuil, Minister of General Education and Instruction, 35,459 candidates have registered for the 2022/23 academic year exams. There are 12,539 females and 22,920 males among them.

However, compared to the previous year, when 32,167 candidates enrolled, including 21,799 males and 10,368 females, this year’s total number of candidates registered represents a 10.23% percent decrease.

Male candidates increased by 1,121 from 21,799 in the 2021/22 exams, and female candidates also increased by 2,171 from 10,368 the previous year.

YearMalesFemalesTotal
2020/2122,72411,63834,362
2021/2221,79910,36832,167
2022/2322,92012,53935,459
Table showing number of CSE candidates for the last three years

Awut Deng Acuil, Minister of General Education and Instruction, explained that the small number of candidates this academic year is due to security issues in certain regions of South Sudan, the adverse effects of COVID-19, which caused extended school closures, and the destructive floods.

S/NoState/AreaNumber of CandidatesNumber of Schools
Abyei Administrative Area2585
Jonglei State1,39820
Lakes State1,90115
Unity State77720
Pibor Administrative Area421
Eastern Equatoria State2,51629
Ruweng Administrative Area1,52319
Western Equatoria State1,29429
Central Equatoria State13,942135
Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State2,02828
Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State3,07526
Warrap State1,82628
Upper Nile State1,87328
IDP Juba3,00415
Table showing number of Candidates and Schools by State and Administrative Areas
Document showing statistics of students for this year’s CSE

Conclusion:

This data analysis indicates that secondary education in South Sudan is on the rise, despite a slight overall decrease in the number of registered candidates. The increase in male and female candidates, while remaining lower than the male candidate count, is a positive sign that more females are pursuing secondary education and have access to the necessary resources. This could indicate a shift in attitudes towards female education in South Sudan and an overall increase in investment in education. However, further research is needed to better understand the situation in South Sudan, particularly in terms of educational opportunities and resources available to students.

Fact-check: A massive figure sightings over Juba and Rumbek proven false

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Claims that a massive figure was seen in the sky above Juba or Rumbek in South Sudan are false, as a reverse image search shows that the image was actually taken in Zambia in 2017.

Writer: Emmanuel Bida Thomas

Social media has been abuzz with claims that a massive figure resembling the evil ‘dementors’ from the Harry Potter series was seen in the sky above Juba, South Sudan or Rumbek, a town in South Sudan’s Lakes State. 

The image was shared by several Facebook users here, here, here, and here.

Facebook post claiming that the image is from Rumbek.

However, a reverse image search shows that this is not the case. The image has actually been circulating on social media since March 2017, and reports suggest that it was taken above the Mukuba Mall in the city of Kitwe in north-central Zambia.

Reported by the Uk’s The Sun, Daily Star, FZN, and Yahoo News.

The claims that the image is from South Sudan are entirely unfounded. The image has been debunked multiple times since it first appeared in 2017, and it has been widely reported that it was taken in Zambia.

It is important to note that social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter can be hotbeds of misinformation and fake news, especially during times of crisis or uncertainty. Verifying any claims before sharing them with others is crucial in such situations. One way to do this is by conducting a reverse image search, which can quickly reveal an image’s original source and help debunk any false claims.

In this case, a reverse image search shows that the image in question is not from South Sudan, but rather from Zambia. It is not uncommon for images to be misattributed or taken out of context on social media, so it is important to be vigilant when sharing information online.

Conclusion:

Claims that a massive figure resembling a ‘dementor’ from the Harry Potter series was seen in the sky above Juba or Rumbek in South Sudan are false. The image has been circulating on social media since 2017, and it was actually taken above the Mukuba Mall in Kitwe, Zambia.

Fight misinformation on mainstream and alternative media by not being a victim of fake news. Refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or don’t know where it comes from to prevent spreading false information. For more information on our fact-checking process, visit https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim. Our team will fact-check it and respond promptly. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: Rumor of an earthquake in South Sudan debunked; no seismic activity recorded

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A rumor claiming that South Sudan would experience an earthquake worse than the one in Turkey was circulated on social media, but there was no credible evidence to support it.

Writer: Emmanuel Bida Thomas

On the night of February 27th, a rumor began circulating on social media platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, that South Sudan was about to experience an earthquake worse than the one that hit Turkey. The rumor that was shared here and here instructed people to stay outside of their buildings to avoid harm. However, there was no earthquake in South Sudan last night, and no credible media reports suggest otherwise.

Screenshot of a Facebook post with the false claim

It is crucial to rely on credible sources of information and avoid spreading rumors that can lead to dangerous situations. In this case, a South Sudanese researcher quickly dismissed the rumors, stating that there was no threat of an earthquake and that the rumors were unfounded. People should always look to official sources for information during times of crisis, such as government agencies and reputable news outlets.

“People should panic only with scientifically informed communique regarding any natural disaster,” M. Ajang Mathiang, Research Assistant at Telolink Technology, said in a Facebook post.

There were no significant confirmed earthquakes in or near South Sudan in the past 24 hours, according to Earthquake Track and VolcanoDiscovery.

South Sudan’s recent tremors

3.4- the strength of tremor felt in Juba on February 25, 2022 on the Richter scale.

4.5- the strength of the tremor felt in Torit on 25 February 2022 on the Rickter scale.

3.8- the strength of tremor felt in Juba in December 2021 on the Richter scale

7.5- the strength of tremor felt in South Sudan in 1990

Can an earthquake be predicted or told beforehand?

According to various sources here, here, and here, earthquakes cannot be accurately predicted. Seismologists can only estimate where and when earthquakes may be likely to occur by calculating probabilities and forecasts based on past seismic activity425.

However, seismologists use seismographs to detect and record earthquakes as they happen. They also study fault lines to see how ancient earthquakes have shaped the Earth’s crust.

Rumors and false information can spread quickly on social media, causing panic and fear. It is essential to verify the accuracy of such information before spreading it to others, especially during times of crisis. In this case, the rumor caused unnecessary fear and anxiety among the South Sudanese population, who spent the night outside their homes anticipating an earthquake that never occurred.

Conclusion:

The rumor that South Sudan was about to experience a devastating earthquake worse than the one that hit Turkey last night is false. No credible media reports suggest otherwise. It is crucial to rely on verified sources of information and avoid spreading rumors that can cause unnecessary fear and panic. By doing so, we can help ensure that people stay safe and informed during times of crisis.

Fight misinformation on mainstream and alternative media by not being a victim of fake news. Refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or don’t know where it comes from to prevent spreading false information. For more information on our fact-checking process, visit https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim. Our team will fact-check it and respond promptly. #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Ramciel City’s most misleading master plan photos

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South Sudan’s social media platform is flooded with news of the proposed Ramciel City and alleged Tali International Airport, but the images were lifted from the internet sites and not the legitimate government designs. 

Writer: Ghai Aketch

The government’s recent announcement of the Ramciel City project resumption has widely circulated. The excitement is seen in a collection of images shared online allegedly representing the proposed project. 

Ramciel is the proposed capital of South Sudan, located about 250 km north of Juba in Lakes’ State. Its relatively central position in South Sudan makes it more ideal, according to the government. Land issues and the need to have a well-planned modern city also inspired the decision. 

It was initiated by the late Dr. John Garang before his death in 2005. According to him, its implementation would follow the independence of Southern Sudan. So, in 2011 after South Sudan’s independence that year, the Council of Ministers embarked on his plan.

But the project stalled due to Covid-19; fortunately, it resumed this year, according to the Vice President for Infrastructure Cluster Taban Deng Gai, on February 2, 2023. 

“The Ramciel City Master Plan is being carried out by a consortium of Moroccan and Korean Consultants (CID, NOVEC and Seaoyoung). The management of the project is being coordinated by Al Omrane Group of Morocco and the Technical Steering Committee under the High-Level Ministerial Committee,” The office of the Vice President posted in February 2023. 

This has since been exciting news to South Sudanese netizens who went on sharing fake images to depict the Ramciel City plan. The images currently going viral were not legitimately released by the government but were lifted randomly from the internet by some internet users.

Our keyword searches and image verification found that most pictures representing Ramciel are misleading.

Take a look at these trending images misrepresenting the Ramciel City plan and where they originated from. 

Facebook screenshot purporting the designs to Ramciel City. 

                 GHANA:   Petronia City  (artistic design) Construction started in 2013.

CHINA: Ningbo China Tourism Group. Haiquan Bay. 

                       NIGERIA: Lagos  Eko Energy Estate (artistic impression) 

RUSSIA:  Stavropol Apartment Complex ( Photographed) 

Alleged Tali International Airport

The proposed Ramciel City is said to incorporate an International Airport called Tali International Airport(TIA). It is anticipated to serve the city—however, no official artistic impression supports that. But the citizens have since shared the wrong image to represent it. 

 CHINA: Harbin Taiping International Airport Terminal (3) design. Not Tali International Airport. 

NB: all the above images do not represent the Ramciel City plan.

So, which Ramciel  Master Plan design is authentic?

On February 2, 2023, the government, headed up by Vice President Taban Deng Gai and stakeholders, presented the digital design of Ramciel City, adding that the physical design would be shipped to the country abroad in April this year. However, no high-definition image was officially released.

Below  are the official Ramciel City designs

            This is a 2017 Ramciel artistic impression inspected by the Government in Juba. 

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The recent master plan images during the project resumption presentation in Juba on February 2, 2023.

Conclusion

The photographed and artistic impressions used to refer to Ramciel City were lifted from the internet, as indicated by this article. Although it has no profound negative impact, it is misinforming the masses. The recent official images for the resumption of the city are available here. 

Fight misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media by not being a victim of fake news. Refrain from sharing content that you are unsure about or don’t know where it comes from to prevent spreading false information. For more information on our fact-checking process, visit https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim. Our team will fact-check it and respond promptly. #FactsMatter.