Fact-check: Did FVP Riek Machar endorse President Salva Kiir for Presidency?

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A post shared severally on the internet claiming the FVP, Riek Machar, endorsed President Salva Kiir for the next election is false. He was unveiling the President’s new portrait to be used in offices at the event.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A post made rounds on social media, with a picture of the First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar, holding a portrait of Salva Kiir Mayardit, South Sudan’s current president. 

This viral post claims that the First Vice President, also chair of the SPLM-IO, Riek Machar, endorsed Salva Kiir Mayardit as the next president. Junub Sudan Press is one of the pages that shared the picture captioned, “Breaking News!!! FVP Dr. Riek Machar endorses President Kiir as the next President of the Republic of South Sudan after the expiration of the peace agreement or roadmap in 2025.”

“My party SPLM-IO and I will rejoin SPLM and rally behind our only Chairman and President 

H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit ~ FVP Dr. Riek,” the post falsely attributed a quote to Riek Machar Teny.

However, the claim is false. In less than 24 hours, the post received over 100 reactions, 50 comments, and 47 shares.

A screenshot of the post by Junub press.

On carrying out Google Search on the picture, many online news outlines used the picture. Among them are Eye Radio, South Sudan Uncensored, The Naath International Radio’s America, and Jonglei TV. These pages explain in detail that the picture was taken on March 15, 2023, at the Freedom Hall during the launch of a new portrait of the president to be used in offices.

There have been two portraits in use, including one of the late Dr John Garang and the President. However, the president’s has been changed. 

Gordon Yien Gordon, who is the spokesperson in the office of the FVP, dismissed the claims in a post on his Facebook timeline.

“The First Vice President cannot endorse President Kiir simply because the two leaders are from different political parties (SPLM-IG), (SPLM-IO). We would like to tell the people of South Sudan that the event was about the standard portrait of President Kiir. This means replacing the old one with a new photo of him. The photo is supposed to be hung in offices at national, state and local levels,” reads part of his disclaimer.

A screenshot of a post by Eye Radio 

A screenshot of a post by Jonglei TV

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that First Vice President Riek Machar Teny endorsed President Salva Kiir for candidacy in the next elections during the launch of a new portrait to be false. The two leaders are from different political parties

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: South Sudan does have a postal office

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Claims on social media that South Sudan does not have a postal office are proven false because there is existence of a functioning postal system in the country.

Writer: Emmanuel Bida Thomas

A request for the location of the South Sudan postal office by a Facebook user on March 15, 2023, sparked claims made in the comments section of the Facebook post that the country did not have a postal office.

“Someone tell me where is South Sudan postal office. I have a package sent from Germany there,” the Facebook user asked in a public post.

“There is no postal office in South Sudan, and you may use logistics companies…” partly reads a claim in the comments section. “South Sudan doesn’t have a postal office; just use DHL,” another person claimed.

Facebook comments claiming that South Sudan doesn’t have a post office

However, a simple Google search using the keywords “South Sudan Post Office Location” would indicate that the country does indeed have a post office with contact details, office sorting code, location and other information readily available.

Assistant Director for international relations, Parcel Post logistics& Postal Planning at the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology and Postal Services, Andrea Rogasiano, confirmed that the South Sudan postal office is operational when contacted by 211 Check via phone. “While there may be logistical challenges in some areas of the country, South Sudan has a functioning postal system that residents and businesses can use,” he said.

The Universal Postal Union (UPU), which is a specialised agency of the United Nations that coordinates postal policies among member nations, provides information on post offices in South Sudan on their website.

Even though logistics companies can sometimes be used for shipping, a functional postal system is an essential component of any country’s infrastructure. South Sudan’s post office plays a crucial role in facilitating communication and commerce within the country and beyond.

It is important to note that misinformation can easily spread on social media platforms, and individuals should always fact-check claims before believing or sharing them. In this case, a quick search would have revealed that South Sudan does have a postal office, and false claims to the contrary should not deter those seeking to send or receive mail.

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: These aren’t images of a snake cursed by Torit residents’ grandparents

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This is not a snake. It’s a cave in Thailand called the Naka cave

Writer: Jibi Moses

Series of pictures posted by Suncity TV and Juba TV, claim that a giant snake was cursed in Torit by its elders. 

“Residence of Torit says this giant snake was cursed by their grand   grandfathers,”  reads the captions. Suncity TV, a Facebook page which describes itself as a Society and culture website with just over 5,000 likes.

A screenshot from the page showing different pictures of the snake

But, are these pictures from Torit, Eastern Equatoria State in South Sudan?

A Google reverse image search on the pictures found that these pictures are neither of a snake, nor are they from Torit. These pictures are of Naka Caves which are found in Thailand

Naka Cave (or Nāga Cave) is located in Phu Langka National Park which is in the Bueng Khong Long District of Bueng Kan Province, Thailand. Naka means ‘snake’ in the Thai language, and the cave took its name from the texture of some stones in the area, which resembles the scaled skin of a snake.

The Naka cave, which is sometimes called Naka  snake cave or Naga snake, is a strange rock with an image of a python head and scally body. The place has many stories and theories attached to it; others believe the Naga snake is a giant snake which sometimes turns into a human. Some of the stories about the cave can be found here, here, here, here, and here. In addition to the these stories we have a few videos from youtube showing the Naka cave attached  1, 2, 3.

211 Check contacted Afani William who is a resident of Torit, whether such a snake exists anywhere in Torit, but he denied.

Conclusion:

211 Check traces the images in the claim to Thailand. The images show the Naka snake cave, but not a real snake which was cursed by elders of Torit.

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: Image of Yaba Ladu Anthony from Munuki is doctored and used for satire

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A Facebook post featuring an image of a person named Yaba Ladu Anthony from Munuki or Juba is false, as the image is doctored and has been used for satirical purposes on the internet.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A local Facebook page, The Mail, posted a picture of a man who seems to have some resemblance to former United States president Barack Obama.

The post claims the picture is of a man called Yaba Ladu Anthony, who stays in Munuki, Juba, but this is false. 

“This Yaba by the name of Ladu Anthony, a resident of Munuki Suk Libya, claims that he resembles someone in USA Juba Eye,” reads the caption.

Screenshot of the Facebook post

Investigation:

On running a Google reverse image search, 211 Check discovered that other sources had used the picture, as seen here, here, here and here.

These include pages from Malawi, Zambia and  Kenya, showing the picture as having been used out of South Sudan, sharing such information without clear origin and shows. The image has been edited and shared sarcastically as a satire; however, it can fool.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds that the Facebook post with an image claiming that the person in the picture is called Yaba Ladu Anthony from Munuki or anywhere in Juba is false. The image is doctored and has been used on the internet for satire.

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, 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