Speculative and conspiratorial information that is shared as part of a larger trend mostly not based on facts or partially based on a news story or a report that is taken out of context and at times manipulated

Fact-check: Was this how Juba looked in 2002, 2003, and 2004?

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No, the photo shows a place in rural Lesotho.

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A Facebook post by Christian Kur Dengdit falsely shared a photo of a place in Lesotho, claiming it shows Juba’s landscape in 2002, 2003, and 2004.

The photo is one of four meant to show the gradual changes in Juba’s appearance and compares it to another photo of Juba in recent years. 

“Changes never just happen now and then, it takes time to work out….see Juba and UoJ [University of Juba] in previous yrs and currently, and otherwise we’re very proud now and happy on our land (sic),” reads part of the text accompanying the photos.

       The screenshot of the Facebook post by Christian Kur Dengdit

The claim by Dengdit also featured pictures of the University of Juba tower dating back to 2008, 2009 and the university’s current modernised building.

The post’s author also tagged the University of Juba Vice Chancellor, Professor John Akec and 16 other Facebook users.

Prof. Akec then  re-shared the post  on his timeline,  terming it an “interesting reflection” while charging that “change is not automatic.”

“Interesting reflection… Change takes time. It doesn’t happen overnight. Change is not automatic, either. Most of the development is private-sector funded. Few buildings are public, I think,” wrote Prof. John as he shared the claim, which attracted hundreds of reactions. 

The screenshot of Prof. John Akec Facebook timeline after sharing the claim

The photo has also been shared on Facebook in the past, where the author claimed it was Juba in 2004 before the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

Investigation

However, 211 Check investigated and traced the origin of the photo using Google Lens, and it appeared that it is a place in rural Lesotho, a country in Southern Africa. The image was also featured in an article by PV Magazine, which published a story in 2019 about a solar project in Lesotho. 

Pxhere describes the image as a high-resolution picture taken from  Lesotho and is free to download.

“The free high-resolution photo of landscape, town, village, ruins, Bergdorf, slum, wadi, Karg, ancient history, Lesotho, rondavels, human settlement taken with an unknown camera 02/13 2017 The picture taken with The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0. You may download, modify, distribute, and use them royalty free for anything you like, even in commercial applications. Attribution is not required.”

Lesotho, Mountain Village, Round smelters image, Source: Hebieser, Pixabay

Other sources that used the image are African News, Pixabay and Apolitical, which ran a story on the state of the health sector in Lesotho which featured the same photo.

Conclusion:

211 Check has found that the picture claimed to show Juba’s landscape in 2002, 2003, and 2004 is false and misinforms the public. The photo is of a place in the rural area of Lesotho and has been used freely and several times on the internet.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and African Fact-Checking Alliance.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more details on our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter.

HOAX: This Google Form advertising jobs in Canada is a scam

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The work permit application criteria on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website does not include filling out a Google Form.

Writer: PesaCheck

This Google Form on Facebook with instructions on how to apply for jobs in Canada is a HOAX.

The form claims there is a massive recruitment targeting Kenyans seeking employment in Canada.

The purported Google Form makes reference to the labour migration framework announced on 2 May 2023 by President William Ruto that Kenya and Canada are working to enable more Kenyans to get skilled jobs in the North American country.

However, communication by the IRCC and Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not indicate that the procedure to apply for Canadian jobs includes filling out a Google Form, such as the one we are investigating.

The Google Form lists bakery workers, truck drivers, housekeepers, gardeners, nannies, chefs, plumbers, and janitors, among others, as the jobs Kenyans should apply for.

Curiously, the qualifications for employment are basic despite some of the jobs listed requiring professional expertise. They include that the job seeker must be 18 years and above, be conversant in English, be disciplined, and ready to work in Canada.

The Google Form further promises a remuneration package of CAD$69,500 (KSh5,370,000) and above per year. It also promises free Kenyan passport application, Canadian visa application, air ticket, and accommodation in Canada, among other benefits.

The form includes an image that is irrelevant to Canadian immigration. A reverse image search shows that the photograph was taken in November 2022, when President Ruto oversaw an agreement between Kenya and Fortescue Future Industries, an Australia-based multinational firm, to fast-track the development of affordable green fertiliser.

Further, the Google Form lists an 11-step procedure for applying for jobs in Canada, including paying a registration fee of KSh850 to a provided number to qualify.

The mobile money transaction message shows that the registration fee has been sent to Airswift Services.

On 16 May 2023, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua cautioned Kenyans against falling prey to cons purporting to offer jobs in Canada.

Mutua tweeted: “Please be wary of agencies that say they are recruiting for Canadian firms. We are aware that some Kenyans have been conned by some agencies and you therefore need to be careful so that you are not swindled. I will be providing a list of Canadian Government approved consultants (under the College of Immigration and Citizenship approved consultants.”

Additionally, information on the IRCC website states that people seeking jobs in Canada should consult its website to determine the programmes for which they may be eligible.

The procedure for applying for a work permit in Canada depends on the applicant’s varied circumstances and does not include filling out any Google Form as claimed.

PesaCheck has examined the Google Form with instructions on how to apply for jobs in Canada and found it to be a HOAX.

This post is part of an ongoing series of PesaCheck fact-checks examining content marked as potential misinformation on Facebook and other social media platforms.

FALSE: This image is not of protesters in France aboard a police vehicle

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The image is of a scene from Athena, a 2022 film.

Writer: PesaCheck

This image on Twitter, purportedly of demonstrators in France aboard a police vehicle, is FALSE.

The image is of individuals clinging to the door of a moving police van, with one person seated on the roof holding a French flag. A motorcycle follows closely behind the van, performing a stunt.

The photo accompanies the text, “France welcomed ‘peaceful’ Middle East immigrants into their country. Now, that 9% of the population is wrecking (sic) havoc on their cities, even after their Defense Minister deployed 45,000 police in a loose attempt to restore order”.

The post was shared on 1 July 2023, following a series of protests in France triggered by the fatal shooting of a teenager by a policeman in Nanterre.

PesaCheck performed a Google reverse image search to establish the authenticity of the image. The results led to a link on the Netflix website, listing a movie called Athena. The movie is about the aftermath of a tragic incident involving the killing of a young boy.

A trailer for the movie, posted on YouTube in 2022, features a chaotic scene that includes the image we are fact-checking. The image and the trailer share significant similarities, such as the presence of a motorcycle rider, individuals hanging onto the van’s door, and the flag on the roof.

PesaCheck has examined an image on Twitter purportedly of protesters in France aboard a police vehicle and found it to be FALSE.

This post is part of an ongoing series of PesaCheck fact-checks examining content marked as potential misinformation on Facebook and other social media platforms.

Debunking the Mosquito Coil Lung Disease Myth in South Sudan and Ghana (2016)

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There is no clear evidence that long-term exposure to mosquito coil smoke increases the risk of more severe health impacts such as lung cancer, but extended exposure to mosquito coils in enclosed areas should be avoided.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A message claiming that mosquito coils are the common cause of lung cancer in South Sudan and Ghana, making the rounds in WhatsApp groups and private chats, is not supported by substantial evidence.

The message quotes a Medical Journal published in 2016 by Hogarth et al.—Malar, which says that mosquito coil smoke is a potential source of indoor infections and other diseases but did not mention lung cancer. The message, which has pictures of the Zenden brand of Mosquito coil, primarily talks about the dangers of the coil and how it is the leading cause of lung diseases in South Sudan and Ghana.

“Mosquito coils, commonly used as residential insecticides in South Sudan and other African Countries such as Ghana, were the major cause of Lung disease…,” partly reads the message.

The viral message further claims other studies done in Asia show that the insecticide has different chemicals, including chloromethyl, which, the article says, is a highly potent lung carcinogen that can be produced by thermolytic degradation. The content, however, does not have an author or a clear origin.

A screenshot of the circulating message on WhatsApp 

What do we know?

The author quotes the study in his or her article  Malaria  Journal by Jonathan Hogarth, published on February 4, 2016, in Ghana, under the heading Application of Mosquito Repellents, Coils, and Associating Health Issues in Ghana. The report was the final work of research to determine the effectiveness of mosquito coils and repellents and their associated impact. 

The research found that the insecticides were ineffective and posed a health danger but did not explicitly state that it is the cause of lung cancer in South Sudan and Ghana.

A report published by the National Library of Medicine in 2015 by JIE Zhang and others titled Mosquito coil exposure associated with small cell lung cancer: A report of three cases. A research report carried out in Asia on cancer patients was carried out on a few individuals who previously worked with a mosquito coil-producing company. The information admits insecticides have chloromethyl, a highly potent lung carcinogen. However, the report says the significance of exposure is uncertain.

“Mosquito coils, commonly used as residential insecticides in Asia, contain different concentrations of octachlorodipropyl ether (S-2) as a synergist or an active ingredient. As bis(chloromethyl) ether (BCME) is an extremely potent lung carcinogen that can be produced by the thermolytic degradation of S-2, contact with mosquito coils is likely to expose individuals to a certain level of BCME and therefore increase the risk of lung cancer. However, the significance of exposure is uncertain as clinical and epidemiological studies concerning mosquito coil users and workers are lacking….” 

The report concludes that contact with mosquito coils will likely expose individuals to a level of S-2 that may increase the risk of SCLC but does not concretely say mosquito coils cause cancer. 

What is lung cancer disease?

Penn Medicine defines lung cancer disease as any lung problem that prevents the lungs from working properly. World Health Organisation says The significant risk factors for chronic respiratory diseases include tobacco smoke and other indoor air pollution, allergens, household chemicals, and outdoor pollution. Some leading causes of lung diseases are explained here.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that mosquito coil is the leading cause of lung diseases unproven. Though the insecticide has some chloromethyl content, the World Health Organisation says tobacco is the leading cause of lung diseases.

In the face of this uncertainty, the essential lesson should be to avoid extended exposure to mosquito coils, particularly in enclosed areas, The Conversation says.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more details on our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Viral WhatsApp message about 2023 recruitment at Total Energies is false

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The messages on WhatsApp are scams embedded with malicious links intended to steal people’s helpful information. 

Writer: Jibi Moses

A message is making rounds on WhatsApp claiming Total Energies, one of the world’s leading petroleum business companies, is recruiting. This is false.

“GOOD NEWS!  TotalEnergies Oil and Gas company is recruiting both Skilled and Unskilled Labour with good Salary Payment. It is no longer news. APPLY NOW,” the message reads partially.

On clicking the job advertisement link, it looks too good to be true because it highly emphasizes that the company offers both skilled and unskilled labour. The application is too easy to fill out, and when one is done filling in his details, you are requested to share the link in five WhatsApp groups or over fifteen individuals to get the job.

A screenshot of the job advertisement on opening the link.

What have we found out?

211 Check investigated the advertisement by examining the link attached to the message. Results from one of the vendors on VirusTotal, an online tool used to detect malware and other suspicious wares, show that the connection is embedded with a Malicious URL. These are links created to promote scams or fraudulent activity. They are persuasive, intending to gain sensitive and personal information. Clicking on such links can lead to various consequences, from having your data stolen to being the victim of a cyberattack.

Total Energies is a French multinational integrated energy and petroleum company founded in 1924 and is one of the seven supermajor oil companies. Is Headquartered in  Courbevoie, France. With Subsidiaries of  TotalEnergies, Total Espana SA, SunPower, and MORE currently under the leadership of Patrick Pouyanné as the CEO, He assumed that position on 22 October 2014. 

The company was founded on March 28 March 1924, by  Ernest Mercier. As of 2020, it employs up to  105,476 people with a straightforward means of calling for applications through the Career section on their websites.

We ran the two links on Whois, an online tool that analyses websites and showed that the two links are entirely different. The Total Energies website was first registered in France in 2014 and updated in 2023. Meanwhile, the other link was first recorded in 2023 the United States in America. Earlier this year, a similar advert made rounds on the internet particularly WhatsApp and 211 Check, found it false.

A Screenshot of the Whois details of the Total Energies website as shown by whois.com

A screenshot of the malicious link is shown on whois.com.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds that the advert in WhatsApp groups and private chats claiming to be from Total Energies is false. These are scams embedded with Malicious links intended to steal people’s helpful information. We advise the public to be cautious when interacting with such social media posts and verify the authenticity of any claims before acting on them.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more details on our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: No, this circular was not issued by WHO

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The messages about habits that hurt the brain have not come from the World Health Organisation. The WHO has nothing to do with these false messages being spread in its name.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A Circular purportedly from the World Health Organization is making rounds on WhatsApp with what they say are the seven causes of brain stroke.

The document begins with an invitingly enticing message written in bold letters as, “Please read this msg carefully and forward it to everyone for knowledge.”

A screenshot of the false circular

Investigations

211Check ran a Reverse Image Search to investigate whether it was from the World Health Organization. The results show that the same claim has been circulating for a long time, and many fact-checking organisations have previously worked on it. Facts Crecendo and Vishvas News are some of the organisations, and they found that WHO did not issue this and that these seven habits don’t cause brain stroke, though they can be dangerous to our health if overdone, according to health experts.

“While the seven habits mentioned in the viral post do not directly lead to brain damage, however, it can cause serious health complications when done in excess”.

What is Brain Stroke?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when something blocks the blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or death.

There are mainly two types of stroke, Ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Most strokes are ischemic strokes. An ischemic stroke occurs when blood clots or other particles block the blood vessels in the brain.

On the 29th of October 2016, a report was published by Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh on the WHO South-East Asia website explaining clearly the causes and effects of brain stroke, which he emphasises much as alcohol consumption and over-smoking.

 “People who smoke should quit, and those who drink heavily should cease. These factors alone significantly multiply the likelihood of stroke.”

Fatty deposits called plaque can also cause blockages by building up in the blood vessels. A hemorrhagic stroke happens when an artery in the brain leaks blood or ruptures (breaks open). The leaked blood puts too much pressure on brain cells, which damages them. Also here are some definitions of brain stroke from population health institutions, NHS- UK, Mayo Clinic, NHI, Cleveland and UCLA Health. 

Blood clots and blood leaks in the brain due to vessel ruptures are the main causes of brain stroke. Johns Hopkins Medicine is a medical institution in the US whose mission is to improve the health of the community and the world by setting the standard of excellence in medical education, research and clinical care. Clearly explains the causes, risks factors,  symptoms, Preventive measures and treatment of Brain Stroke.

NHS also explains the causes of brain stroke in this Article and breaks them down as smoking, high blood pressure (hypertension), obesity, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and excessive alcohol intake; it further goes ahead and explains the Things that increase the risk of high blood pressure include: being overweight, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, smoking, a lack of exercise, stress.

These factors, mainly collaborating, are the leading causes of stroke.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds that the circular in WhatsApp groups, claiming to be creating awareness by spotting the causes of brain stroke, is false and does not originate from WHO.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more details about our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Did Gumbo Sherikat Juba witness the demolition of these houses?

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These pictures were from Nigeria, Benue state, where the Authorities destroyed two houses of a notorious kidnapper who used them to keep the kidnapped people.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A Facebook page South Sudan News Agency, posted pictures of an excavator demolishing a house. The page boasts 20 thousand likes and 27 thousand followers and describes itself as a Media/ news company managed in Wau and Juba.

 The tabloid says, “An angry man in Gumbo Sherikat demolished a house that he built for his girlfriend’s parents after they rejected his marriage proposal.”

The post attracted over 100 reactions, 50 comments, and 33 shares in one day. However, Other media in East and West Africa have also posted the same pictures with the same false storyline in Kenya (Kenya Today), Nigeria (Naira land forum) and Uganda (Princess Tina).

A screenshot of the image of the building being demolished as posted on Facebook

Investigations:

Comments and posts from the other three countries prompted 211 Check to investigate. 

A Reverse Image Search on the picture shows the pictures were first used on 28 June 2021 in Nigeria. We also discovered the photos were for two separate houses. The Sun, an online Nigerian Outlet, ran the story with the heading “Police demolish two houses used as kidnap den in Benue ”. The piece by Rose Ejembi, written on the 28th of June 2021, has two pictures of the destroyed houses and another snapshot of the owners taken in handcuffs.

“Two houses belonging to a wanted suspected kidnapper and armed robber known as Aondofa Cephas Chekele (alias Azonto) were demolished Monday by the Benue State government”. 

Abdulazeez Badaru Jikamshi, on the 29th of June 2021, posted the same pictures on a Facebook page called Inside Kaduna with two photos of one of the demolished houses. 

“SECURITY NEWS: Benue State govt demolish two houses allegedly belonging to a notorious kidnapper and armed robber Aondofa Cephas Chekele aka Azonto. The state government said this serves as a warning to Criminals that government will no longer tolerate criminal activities in d state. #SecureNorth #SecureNigeria”  as it appears on his post.

Other sources that wrote about the story are here: Ripples Nigeria, Donkes News Lab, and Benue Chronicles News Online, ANN, among many Nigerian News outlets.

A screenshot of one of the pictures used by the Sun shows the police and the kidnapper.
A screenshot of the images of the houses used by the Sun.

Conclusion:

211 Check has found that the pictures of an excavator demolishing a house claiming to be from Gumbo Shirikat are false. These pictures were from Nigeria, Benue state, where the Authorities destroyed two homes of a notorious kidnapper who used them to keep the kidnapped people.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more details about our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Resignation letter inauthentic, not from Ruweng Administrative Area chief

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The two-page resignation letter purportedly from Stephano Wieu Malek, Administrator for Ruweng Administrative Area, is false and dismissed as fake information by the area information minister.

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

A resignation letter dated 14th June 2023 addressed to South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, allegedly from Stephano Wieu Malek, Administrator for Ruweng Administrative Area, is false.

The two-page letter circulating in WhatsApp group chats claimed that Stefano Wieu was immediately stepping down from his role and declared allegiance to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO).

What makes this letter inauthentic and, therefore, false?

The document header displays logo colours inconsistent with those officially used in letters issued by the Office of the Chief Administrator for Ruweng Administrative Area (RAA).

Unlike previous authentic letters, the date in this letter is underlined.

A notable difference is that the signature is left-aligned, while authentic letters from the office of the Chief Administrator are typically centre-aligned.

The grammar used in the letter is poor, with multiple spelling errors, including the misspelling of the names of the Chief Administrator.

Image showing an inauthentic letter allegedly from RAA chief

On the 20th of June 2023, the office of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youths, and Sports Ruweng Administrative Area, Panrieng, made a public statement on its Facebook page dismissing the claim which said that the Chief Administrator of Ruweng Administrative Area, His Excellency Stephano Wieu De Mialek has resigned from the SPLM party and as it’s Chairman in Ruweng- Panrieng.

“This is fake news of the year 2023, and such propaganda is purely the work of the enemies of progress of the Ruweng people,” the statement of the area minister said in part.

An example of an authentic letter from the RAA chief

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim in a two-page letter of resignation allegedly from Stephano Wieu de Mialek, Chief Administrator of Ruweng Administrative Area, false. The document is inauthentic and wasn’t issued by his office. 

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more information on our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Did Volodymyr Zelenskyy mock African Presidents in Kyiv?

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The text alleged to have been written and signed by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, trying to mock African leaders about their African problems, is not authentic. 

Writer: Jibi Moses

A lengthy speech is making rounds on social media platforms, especially WhatsApp, allegedly of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s opening Speech when he met the African leaders in Kyiv on the 16th of June, 2023. 

The text, which does not have a clear source and date of origin, is alleged to have been written and signed by Zelensky, but this is false.

“Opening Remarks by President Volodymyr Zelensky while meeting African Leaders in Kyiv, Ukraine, 2023-6-16,” the text is titled.

“Zelensky to African Leaders: I am happy to host you here in the beautiful city of Kyiv. I know when u watch your TV in Africa, you get to know that Russia has destroyed the entire city of Kyiv according to Russia’s global propaganda machinery. Still, you have moved around Kieve, and you see how beautiful the city is with welcoming people doing their business; however, with imperialists Vladimir Putin dropping bombs..we have been intercepting most of them. Some we have failed,” partly reads the text.

Screenshots of the text being shared on WhatsApp

The document came after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recently led an African delegation. The leaders were on a mission in Kyiv to mediate peace between the two warring parties, where Russia was accused of attacking Ukraine.

211 Check did an internet search through the mainstream media to find out the exact speech and to validate whether this claim was valid, and below is what we found out.

The Media is awash with clear messages from President Zelenskys’ speech when he met the African leaders on the 16th of June 2023. Reuters, a news agency owned by Thomson Reuters Corporation, reported on the event with a story titled, “Ukraine tells African Leaders no peace talks with Russia,” written by Pavel Polityuk and Olena Harmash.    

“To allow any negotiations with Russia now while the occupier is on our land is to freeze the war, to freeze everything: pain and suffering,” according to Reuters, Zelenskiy told a joint press conference with the delegation.

A similar report was made by Le Monde, a French daily afternoon newspaper, the leading publication of Le Monde Group, that covered the story with this heading, “Zelensky rules out talks with Russia as he meets African leaders in Kyiv.”

The delegation, including leaders of Senegal, Egypt, Zambia, South Africa, and Comoros, was expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, according to Le Monde and AFP.

While an article by Al Jazeera English, an international 24-hour English-language news channel owned by the Al Jazeera Media Network, stated that Zelenskyy asked African leaders to push Russia on prisoner release.

Other news outlets that reported the story included, among others, Milford Mercury, CNBC, CNN.COM, and The New Times.

Screenshot of a picture of Zelenskiy with the African Leaders.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds that the text alleged to be written and signed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, trying to mock African leaders about their African problems, is false. The writer’s source and intention are not and can not be traced. However, it can fool the society into believing that it’s true. We advise the public to be cautious when interacting with such social media posts and verify the authenticity of any claims before acting on them.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more information on our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Did Hamdan Dagalo visit Kenya for Sudan’s talks last week?

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Hemedti didn’t travel to Kenya last week. The photo of President William Ruto and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo was taken on 05 December 2022 and used on 9 January 2023

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

The Facebook page Radio Dabanga-211 posted on 14- June-2023 that President Dr Willam Ruto is in action to stop Sudan’s conflict as Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, travelled to Kenya for talks. This claim is, however, false.

Radio Dabanga- 211, a page with 7,700 likes and 14,000 followers on Facebook, describes itself as Entrepreneur and was created in December 2021. The post attracted 75 reactions, 17 comments and 34 shares in just four days. 

“Breaking news. President Dr Ruto is in action to stop conflict as soon,” partially reads the post. 

A screenshot of a post used by Radio Dabanga-211. 

This claim came out immediately after the IGAD member states assembled in Djibouti to discuss the region’s future and the current situation in Sudan, where the member states decided to elect President William Ruto to lead the negotiations of the Sudan crisis, assisted by his South Sudanese counterpart, President Salva Kiir.

Did Hamdan Dagalo meet Kenya’s President William Ruto in Kenya on 14th June? Here is what we found out:

211 Check did a reverse image search on the pictures, and we found that the photographs were first used on Twitter by William Ruto himself on the 10th of January, 2023. This was after a political framework agreement was signed on December 5, 2022. 

 “Kenya fully supports the Political Framework Agreement signed on December 5, 2022, between the Transitional Sovereignty Council and the civilian political actors in the sisterly Republic of Sudan, reaffirming a strong commitment to a peaceful future of their country,” the Twitter thread partly reads.

Other screenshots in the same tweet by President William Ruto. 

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, was in Nairobi for talks with President Ruto on 14th June 2023 as false and misleading. The images attached to the claim were first used on the 10th of January, 2023, in a tweet by Kenya’s President William Ruto. We advise the public to be cautious when interacting with such social media posts and verify the authenticity of any claims before acting on them.

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