Data Story: Comparable data on Persons with disability in Eastern Equatoria State

By Oriba Douglas

According to a national census conducted in 2008, prior to South Sudan’s independence in 2011, people with disabilities accounted for 5.1 per cent of the population, though the census is controversial and the number of disabled people is thought to be underestimated.

According to a 2016 household survey conducted by the Food Security and Livelihood Cluster in South Sudan, approximately 15% of households have at least one disabled family member.

According to the Food Security and Nutrition Monitoring Systems, South Sudan National Bureau of Statistics, OCHA, IPC Technical Working Group, Population Working Group, IOM, and UNHCR – South Sudan Population Estimates 2022, the number of people living with disabilities in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State is projected to be as shown in the visual below:

The above visualization is a small step in realising objective (3) of the WHO Global Disability Action Plan within South Sudan which is; to strengthen the collection of relevant and internationally comparable data on disability and support research on disability and related services.

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are defined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that, when combined with other barriers, prevent them from participating fully and effectively in society on an equal basis with others. Persons with disabilities are defined as “those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that, when combined with other barriers, may prevent them from participating fully and effectively in society on an equal basis with others.”

Decades of conflict in South Sudan, both before and after independence in 2011, have increased the rate of disability and rendered people with disabilities more marginalised and excluded, owing to the numerous attitudinal, environmental, and institutional barriers they face, as well as a lack of concerted efforts to include them.

The World Health Organization has published the Global Disability Action Plan. This document aims to assist countries in directing their efforts toward specific actions to address the health concerns of people with disabilities. Three major goals were identified in the Action Plan:

  • to remove barriers and improve access to health services and programmes; 
  • to strengthen and extend rehabilitation, habilitation, assistive technology, assistance and support services, and community-based rehabilitation; 
  • to strengthen the collection of relevant and internationally comparable data on disability and support research on disability and related services.

For the World Health Organization Global Disability Action Plan to be achieved in South Sudan, official statistics on people living with disabilities need to be recorded. This is because despite decades of conflict and its impact on poverty and services, leaving many South

Sudanese with different types of disabilities, there are no official statistics in relation to disability

Prevalence in the country.

About the Authors:

Oriba Douglas, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, a Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

Data Story: South Sudan Floods database 2021 

A look at the areas within South Sudan where flooding occurred the last year 2021, the populations affected and the exact counties that experienced the flooding. 

By Oriba Douglas

South Sudan experienced the worst flooding it had seen in 60 years in 2021. The flooding exacerbated South Sudan’s already-existing problems.

Political instability, conflict, underdevelopment, and disease outbreaks are among the challenges confronting the world’s newest nation, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011.

The burden of all of these, as exacerbated by the flooding, is enormous, necessitating the provision of much-needed assistance and aid to those affected by the floods.

UN OCHA South Sudan and its humanitarian partners on the ground in flood-affected areas compiled figures of South Sudanese affected by flooding in order to coordinate and inform efforts to help those affected by the floods.

OCHA discovered that Fangak County in Jonglei State had the highest number of people affected by flooding out of all the counties in South Sudan, with 67,191 people affected, including women and children.

According to OCHA’s reports, September and October are the months of the year when the most severe flooding is likely to occur in flood-prone areas.

Jonglei State has the highest flood burden in South Sudan, with 304,765 people affected by flooding, accounting for 15% of the state’s population. Though the state is no stranger to flooding, flooding in 2021 wreaked havoc in seven counties. Areas were cut off and only accessible by canoes and other improvised boat-like structures.

Meanwhile, Western Bahr el Ghazal and Central Equatoria are tied for the least number of people affected by flooding, but of the two, Western Bahr el Ghazal State is the most affected, with 2% of its population affected, compared to Central Equatoria, which has 1% of its population affected. Flooding in Central Equatoria is mostly confined to the capital city of Juba, which is located within Juba County.

There have been no reported cases of widespread flooding in Western and Eastern Equatoria States, and as a result, no cases of displacement as a result of flooding have been recorded.

Upper Nile State has been found to be the State most affected by flooding in terms of area distribution, with 8 of its counties affected by flooding, compared to Central Equatoria State, which has only one county affected by flooding, Juba.

About the Authors:

Oriba Douglas, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, a Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

Business Insider Africa estimates South Sudan’s debt-to-gross domestic product ratio at 64.4%

By comparing what a country owes with what it produces, the debt-to-GDP ratio reliably indicates that particular country’s ability to pay back its debts. Often expressed as a percentage, this ratio can also be interpreted as the number of years needed to pay back debt if GDP is dedicated entirely to debt repayment

By Okot Emmanuel 

Business Insider Africa has listed South Sudan among twenty countries with the highest debt-to-gross domestic product ratio in the continent.

It says South Sudan has a debt-to-GDP ratio of 64.4% as of 2022.

The debt-to-GDP ratio is the metric comparing a country’s public debt to its gross domestic product.

The Business Insider says by comparing what a country owes with what it produces, the debt-to-GDP ratio reliably indicates that particular country’s ability to pay back its debts.

That said, below are 20 African countries with the highest debt-to-GDP ratios. This list is courtesy of a report by Statista dated December 2021. Although the exact figures of these countries’ public debts were not disclosed, the percentage of debt to GDP is clearly indicated as you can see below.

CountryDebt-to-GDP ratio
Eritrea175.10%
Cabo Verde                                                          160.7%.
Mozambique133.60%
Angola103.70%
Mauritius101%
Zambia101%
Republic of Congo85.40%
Ghana83.50%
The Gambia82.30%
Seychelles81.90%
Guinea-Bissau79.10%
Rwanda74.80%
Burundi:72.40%
Gabon72.10%
Senegal71.90%
Sierra-Leone71.10%
Namibia69.90%
Kenya69.70%
South Africa68.80%
South Sudan64.40%

A recent report by the World Bank showed that more than half of the world’s low-income countries, most of which are in Africa, are either currently struggling with debt distress or at risk of doing so.

The international financial institution says 15 low-income countries today have debt that is collateralized by natural resources—yet none provide details on the collateral arrangements.

The World Bank then stressed that greater debt transparency makes it easier for governments to make informed decisions about future borrowings.

In the same vein, it makes it easier for the citizens to hold their leaders accountable for the loans borrowed.

Also, Standard Bank Group recently red-flagged Ghana, Kenya Ethiopia, Zambia and Angola as African countries that could soon experience serious debt risks.

Although the exact figures of these countries’ public debts were not disclosed, The Business Insider Africa recommends that countries should take serious issues of debt.

About the Authors:

Okot Emmanuel, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, a Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

Data Story: 6.39% drop in the number of students registered for the certificate of secondary education examinations this year

34,362 candidates registered for the CSE exams in the academic year 2020/21, with 22,724 males and 11,638 females. This year, 32,167 candidates registered, with 21,799 males and 10,368 females.

By Adut Maguil

The Ministry of General Education and Instruction released the schedule for the 2021/22 Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) Examinations last week, which will take place from April 18 to April 27.

According to Awut Deng Acuil, Minister of General Education and Instruction, 32,167 candidates have registered for the 2021 academic year exams. There are 10,368 females and 21,799 males among them.

However, when compared to the previous year, when 34,362 candidates enrolled, including 22,724 males and 11,638 females, this year’s total number of candidates registered represents a 6.39 percent decrease.

Male candidates fell by 925 from 22,724 in the 2020/21 exams, while female candidates fell by 1,270 from 11,638 the previous year.

YearMalesFemalesTotal
2020/2122,72411,63834,362
2021/2221,79910,36832,167

According to Awut Deng Acuil, Minister of General Education and Instruction, security issues in some parts of the country, the negative impact of COVID-19, which resulted in protracted school closures, and the destructive floods are some of the reasons for the low number of candidates this academic year.

About the Authors:

Adut Maguil, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

Data Story: South Sudan Returnee figures, state and county levels 2021

By Oriba Douglas

A returnee is someone who was displaced from their habitual residence either within South Sudan or abroad, who has since returned to their habitual residence. 

According to Round 11 of IOM’s DTM baseline assessment, Wau County had the highest returnee individuals at 171,394 and also the highest household returnees at 40,541 households. This can be attributed to improved security situations influencing voluntary returns.

Kapoeta North County however produced the least Household returnees with 102 households and total individual returnees of 510 people was also the least among the Counties of South Sudan. This is majorly due to the nomadic lifestyle of the indigenous communities who prefer to be constantly on the move and are not necessarily influenced by security trends.

The other areas highlighted by the assessment are in full detail illustrated in the graph above. 

CAPTION: Comparison of total returnees Household vs Individual

A comparison of the total number of returnees per State vs the total number of Household returnees per State asserted that Upper Nile State has the Highest number of Individual returnees which was found to be 361,232 individuals including women and children and also the highest number of Household returnees at 6,557 households. 

Lakes State on the other hand had the lowest numbers of both individual and household returnees at 61,549 and 11,771 respectively.

Upper Nile State leads in the number of Individual returnees while Lakes State ranks lowest when it comes to individual returns and the same scenario repeats itself when it comes to household returnees.

Western Bahr El Ghazal State leads with the highest number of individual returnees from within South Sudan while Upper Nile State leads with the highest number of individual returnees from Outside South Sudan.

Western Bahr El Ghazal State also leads with the highest number of household returnees from within South Sudan while Upper Nile State leads with the highest number of household returnees from Outside South Sudan.

About the Authors:

Oriba Douglas, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, a Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

Data Story: Women in the Western Equatoria State Government

By Justin Anthony

The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan demands that there is 35% women representation in all levels of government. In this short article we look at the statistics of women in ministerial positions, members of state independent commissions and county commissioners in Western Equatoria State.

Out of the seventeen (17) state ministries, only four (04) female ministers were appointed by the various parties to the R-ARCSS in Western Equatoria State.

As per the power-sharing agreement, Western Equatoria State has ten counties in which only two (02) females were appointed as the County commissioners.

No Female advisors have been appointed out of the five.

In the six (06) state independent commissions that brought 30 individuals only nine (09) are females.


Gender

State Ministers
Independent CommissionsCounty Commissioners
Male132408
Female040902
Total173010
% of Women23.5%30%20% 

This brings the total number of female executives in the Western Equatoria State government to 13.


Statistics of women representation in Western Equatoria State  Executive
S/N
Name of candidate

Post

Party
1FemaleMinistry of Animal Resources, Fisheries and TourismIG
2FemaleMinistry of Roads and BridgesIG
3FemaleMinistry of General Education and InstructionIG
4FemaleMinistry of Gender, Child and Social WelfareIO
5  FemaleMember, Anti-Corruption CommissionIG
6FemaleMember, Employee Justice ChamberSSOA
7FemaleMember, HIV/AIDS CommissionIG
8FemaleMember, RRCIO
9FemaleMember, Human Rights CommissionIG
10FemaleChairperson, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation CommissionSSOA
11FemaleMember, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation CommissionIG
12FemaleCommissioner, Mundri West CountySSOA
13FemaleCommissioner, Mundri East CountyIG
1SPLM-IG 8
2SPLM-IO2
3SSOA3
4OPP0

About the Authors:

Justin Anthony, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Data Story: South Sudan’s Fiscal Year 2021/22 Budget

By Okot Emmanuel

South Sudan’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has proposed a budget worth 287 billion South Sudanese Pounds for the Fiscal Year 2021/22.

The Finance Minister, Agak Achuil Lual says the government proposes to spend a total of SSP 287.0 billion which represents 12.8% of the country’s GDP estimated at SSP 2.241.0 trillion.

The 2021/2022 budget proposes increased allocation to the social sector (education, health, social and humanitarian affairs). Allocation to the social sector increased to SSP 80.2 billion from SSP 312.2 billion in FY 2020/2021.

Allocation to the education sector is SSP 49.2 billion which indicates an increase of SSP 24.7 billion which represents 100.8 per cent compared to the FY 2020/2021 allocation of SSP 24.5 billion.  

Similarly allocation to the health sector of SSP 27.7 billion (of which SSP 9.0 billion is earmarked to combat COVID19 pandemic) the provision of SSP 27.7 billion to the health sector interprets to an increase of 575.6 per cent compared to the SSP 4.1 billion allocations in FY 2020/2021 budget. 

The budget allocation to the social and Humanitarian Affairs sector of SSP 3.3 billion has increased by 26.9 per cent compared to the FY 2020/2021 allocation of SSP 2.6 billion.

Of this amount, as stated by Acuil, SSP 169.3 billion or 7.6% will be financed by domestic revenues while SSP 77.4 billion which represent 3.5% will be through credit (i.e. concessional loans) from cooperating partners.

The balance of SSP 40.3 billion, which represents 1.8% will be financed through commercial borrowing.

Revenue Sources for Financing the FY 2021/22 Budget
SourceAmount in SSPPercentage (out of GDP)
Domestic Revenues169.3 billion7.6 %
Credit from cooperating partners (Concessional Loans)
77.4 billion

3.5%
Commercial borrowing 40.3 billion1.8 %

The budget aims at stimulating economic recovery and reducing inflation from 22.8 in the fiscal year 2020/2021 to 16.3 per cent.

The Finance Ministry further said the FY 2021/2022 Budget is to consolidate peace, combat the COVID-19 pandemic and increase investment in physical infrastructure.  

About the Authors:

Okot Emmanuel, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

Data Story: 14.69% drop in the number of pupils registered for final primary education examinations this year

The previous year, 64,138 candidates enrolled for the exams, but only 62,362 sat, comprising 32,549 males and 20,693 females. This year, 53,220 candidates; 31,232 males, and 21,988 females registered.

By Adut Maguil

Last week, the Ministry of General Education and Instruction stated that 53,220 candidates, 31,232 men, and 21,988 females, had registered for the next certificate of primary education examinations, which will begin on February 14, 2022.

However, as compared to the previous year, when 64,138 candidates enrolled for the exams, 62,362 sat for the exams, comprising 32,549 males and 20,693 females, this year’s number shows a 14.69 percent decrease in the number of candidates.

Male candidates declined by 1,317 from 32,549 in the 2020/21 exams, while female candidates grew by 1,295 from 20,692 the previous year.

YearMalesFemalesTotal
2020/2132,54920,69362,362
2021/2231,23221,98853,220
Table Showing Number of Candidates Registered for the Primary Education Examination in the two most recent years

Security issues in some parts of the country, the detrimental impact of COVID-19, which resulted in protracted school closures, and the destructive floods, according to Awut Deng Acuil, Minister of General Education and Instruction are some of the reasons for the low number of candidates.

About the Authors:

Adut Maguil, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

Data Story: 2021 Secondary School Enrolment in 6 Counties of Western Equatoria

Western Equatoria State has an enrolment of 6,382 students in 31 schools across six counties according to the Ministry of General Education and Instruction there.

By Justin Anthony

The State Ministry of General Education and Instruction in Western Equatoria State says in a data obtained by 211 Check that 6,382 students returned to secondary schools in the area after schools reopened in April 2021 following closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statistics show enrolment in the counties of Yambio, Nzara, Mvolo, Ibba, Maridi and Mundri . Tambura has been excluded due to the conflict that occurred there.

CountyNo. of SchoolsBoysGirlsTotal
Yambio12235315073860
Nzara3125143268
Mvolo14273115
Ibba2622486
Maridi108895601449
Mundri3409195604
Total31388025026382
Table showing secondary school enrolment in 6 counties of Western Equatoria in 2021

The data also shows that at least 320 students are known to have dropped out of school due to factors such as financial constraints, early and unintended pregnancies, marriages, among other reasons.

CountyNo. of SchoolsBoys DroppedGirls DroppedTotal
Yambio125275127
Nzara3101626
Mvolo181018
Ibba24812
Maridi104363106
Mundri3172037
Total31134192326
Table showing number of students who have dropped out of secondary school in 6 counties of Western Equatoria in 2021

About the Authors:

Justin Anthony, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

Top 14 Leading South Sudanese Facebook Pages in 2021

Here’s our list of 14 very interactive South Sudanese pages on Facebook. Together, all these pages have nearly five million followers! Some of them represent South Sudanese-famous personalities, mainstream and alternative media.

By Adut Maguil

Facebook is one of the most liked social media platform today. It has had a grip over young and mature persons for over 12 years. Millions of people have access to the Internet most of whom use Facebook accounts to do various things.

Facebook is a great way to stay connected and get to know who is in your social circle but it is also an easy way to keep tabs on your favorite celebrities and big public figures. You can connect with their regular posts by simply following their page on Facebook to receive instant updates if you’re a true fan.

These profiles post photos and videos about varied things. Some of them are updates about their products and business as a marketing option. Some others upload photos of their loved ones, funny podcasts, food recipes and so on. In the end, the most important thing is to keep viewers entertained

People use social media, such as Facebook, all the time. Maybe to see what their friends are doing, to read the news. Many famous persons, brands and even football teams have fan pages in this platform.

In this article, we will review the top 14 South Sudanese Facebook pages that have had huge interaction in 2021.

Quick Glance at the 14 leading South Sudanese pages on Facebook by category:

Category 1: Mainstream Media

  1. Eye Radio

Total Interactions = 1,198,277 | Owned Total Views = 4,124,572

Total Posts = 3,253 | Page Followers = 155,363

Page Follower Growth % = 81.10%

2. Radio Tamazuj

Total Interactions = 212,291 | Owned Total Views = 2,837,308

Total Posts = 1,580 | Page Followers = 156,145

Page Follower Growth % = 21.92%

3. Radio Miraya

Total Interactions = 211,151 | Owned Total Views = 5,487

Total Posts = 1,229 | Page Followers = 76,076

Page Follower Growth % = 19.50%

4. SSBC News

Total Interactions = 167,932 | Owned Total Views = 5,060,430

Total Posts = 332 | Page Followers = 110,535

Page Follower Growth % = 40.42%

5. Advance Digital

Total Interactions = 166,731 | Owned Total Views = 2,573,452

Total Posts = 1,575 | Page Followers = 88,540

Page Follower Growth % = 364.80%

6. Sudan Tribune

Total Interactions = 94,891 | Total Posts = 335

Page Followers = 107,796 | Page Follower Growth % = 17.69%

7. 88.4 City FM, Juba

Total Interactions = 79,565  | Owned Total Views = 34,928

Total Posts = 314 | Page Followers = 46,138

Page Follower Growth % = 23.46%

8. Radio Bakhita

Total Interactions = 73,826 | Owned Total Views = 1,057,870

Total Posts = 510 | Page Followers = 33,411

Page Follower Growth % = 37.30%

9. Nyamilepedia

Total Interactions = 56,478 | Owned Total Views = 42,497

Total Posts = 1,623 | Page Followers = 28,210

Page Follower Growth % = 7.70%

10. Sudans Post

Total Interactions = 49,995 | Owned Total Views = 225,370

Total Posts = 2,869  | Page Followers = 15,537

Page Follower Growth % = 38.06%

11. CLASSIC FM 92.4

Total Interactions = 31,759 | Owned Total Views = 7,715

Total Posts = 1,141 | Page Followers = 16,871

Page Follower Growth % = 24.03%

12. Radio One 87.9 FM South Sudan

Total Interactions = 25,298 | Owned Total Views = 114,258

Total Posts = 689 | Page Followers = 15,838

Page Follower Growth % = 63.84%

13. The City Review Digital

Total Interactions = 25,034 | Owned Total Views = 145

Total Posts = 2,192 | Page Followers = 2,476

Page Follower Growth % = 141.09%

14. Capital Fm 89.0 Juba

Total Interactions = 23,234 | Owned Total Views = 81,607

Total Posts = 627 | Page Followers = 16,503

Page Follower Growth % = 67.22%

Category 2: Alternative Media

  1. Visit South Sudan           

Total Interactions = 1,824,937 | Owned Total Views = 391,335     

Total Posts = 3,134 | Page Followers = 93,662     

Page Follower Growth % = 286.94%

2. Juba Eye             

Total Interactions = 1,429,127 | Owned Total Views = 8,270,305 

Total Posts = 2,766 | Page Followers = 203,164   

Page Follower Growth % = 29.33%

3. Hot in Juba        

Total Interactions = 1,088,369 | Owned Total Views = 2,988,615 

Total Posts = 2,672 | Page Followers = 218,367   

Page Follower Growth % = 15.61%

4. South Sudan bro             

Total Interactions = 867,263 | Owned Total Views = 141,738        

Total Posts = 2,793 | Page Followers = 53,871     

Page Follower Growth % = 51.17%

5. Juba TV

Total Interactions = 722,758 | Owned Total Views = 1,188,929     

Total Posts = 2,618 | Page Followers = 283,302   

Page Follower Growth % = 6.53%

6. Smart Family TV              

Total Interactions = 605,813 | Owned Total Views = 261,591        

Total Posts = 1,032 | Page Followers = 75,653     

Page Follower Growth % = 47.19%

7. Bentiu tv             

Total Interactions = 494,683 | Owned Total Views = 18,339,809  

Total Posts = 985 | Page Followers = 146,604       

Page Follower Growth % = 185.11%

8. Junub celebz    

Total Interactions = 359,321 | Owned Total Views = 1,328,825     

Total Posts = 1,360 | Page Followers = 56,911     

Page Follower Growth % = 188.08%

9. Northern Corridor Morning Post              

Total Interactions = 339,523 | Owned Total Views = 126,705        

Total Posts = 2,705 | Page Followers = 99,434     

Page Follower Growth % = 12.83%

10. SSDGuna.com  

Total Interactions = 332,072 | Owned Total Views = 393,520        

Total Posts = 2,006 | Page Followers = 44,751     

Page Follower Growth % = 125.13%

11. Twic Media Reports      

Total Interactions = 311,736 | Owned Total Views = 2,569,410     

Total Posts = 1,707 | Page Followers = 46,679     

Page Follower Growth % = 104.57%

12. Southsudan TMZ             

Total Interactions = 232,938 | Owned Total Views = 2,193,968     

Total Posts = 1,611 | Page Followers = 87,377     

Page Follower Growth % = 35.93%

13. South Sudan Anataban 

Total Interactions = 198,892 | Owned Total Views = 16,497           

Total Posts = 778 | Page Followers = 47,607         

Page Follower Growth % = 52.69%

14. South Sudan Digital       

Total Interactions = 156,284 | Owned Total Views = 1,199,502     

Total Posts = 805 | Page Followers = 70,301         

Page Follower Growth % = 37.88%

Category 3: Personalities

  1. Penton Keah     

Total Interactions = 4,220,859 | Owned Total Views = 129,989,670            

Total Posts = 109 | Followers = 663,919 

Page Follower Growth % = 797.26%

2. Slate Nation      

Total Interactions = 1,430,606 | Owned Total Views = 298,239     

Total Posts = 408 | Followers = 280,918

Page Follower Growth % = 62.20%

3. John Frog

Total Interactions = 1,235,283 | Owned Total Views = 667,266

Total Posts = 602 | Followers = 112,354

Page Follower Growth % = 157.81%

4. Silver X

Total Interactions = 1,195,292 | Owned Total Views = 1,516,678 

Total Posts = 1,241 | Followers = 190,148

Page Follower Growth % = 210.86%

5. Lady Kola

Total Interactions = 1,029,422 | Owned Total Views = 10,668,611

Total Posts = 624 | Followers = 181,548 

Page Follower Growth % = 710.59%

6. Achai Wiir          

Total Interactions = 1,003,176 | Owned Total Views = 3,635,829

Total Posts = 265 | Followers = 250,560 

Page Follower Growth % = 65.07%

7. Dynamq              

Total Interactions = 933,976 | Owned Total Views = 693,812

Total Posts = 974 | Followers = 75,564    

Page Follower Growth % = 28.89%

8. K-Denk

Total Interactions = 879,271 | Owned Total Views = 378,618

Total Posts = 1,732 | Followers = 173,572

Page Follower Growth % = 16.08%

9. ADAWAY            

Total Interactions = 811,505 | Owned Total Views = 74,104

Total Posts = 300 | Followers = 104,485 

Page Follower Growth % = 175.18%

10. Dj-Cent Mr No Rest        

Total Interactions = 511,346 | Owned Total Views = 318,166        

Total Posts = 990 | Followers = 40,742    

Page Follower Growth % = 401.44%

11. Promota Kay Two           

Total Interactions = 494,042 | Owned Total Views = 1,240,353     

Total Posts = 767 | Followers = 134,775 

Page Follower Growth % = 118.23%

12. Max Jay

Total Interactions = 485,231 | Owned Total Views = 320,163        

Total Posts = 1,492 | Followers = 54,150

Page Follower Growth % = 192.80%

13. Hardlife Avenue Stars   

Total Interactions = 477,757 | Owned Total Views = 2,837,994     

Total Posts = 903 | Followers = 73,561    

Page Follower Growth % = 677.93%

14. Mary Boyoi       

Total Interactions = 426,878 | Owned Total Views = 663,600        

Total Posts = 256 | Followers = 98,774    

Page Follower Growth % = 1562.86%

15. Ajak Deng Chiengkou   

Total Interactions = 373,882 | Owned Total Views = 4,944,076     

Total Posts = 593 | Followers = 238,363 

Page Follower Growth % = 27.32%

There’s our list of 14 very interactive South Sudanese pages on Facebook. Have you ever thought deeply about this? When describing those leading 15 Facebook pages a normal user will see how important they are in the country to be on the top list. Together, all those pages have nearly five million followers! Some of them represent South Sudanese-famous personalities, mainstream and alternative media.

The number of likes and followers of an account indicates the interest or popularity of a specific person, brand, or product and that is why likes have way much importance on social media platforms like Facebook as they play a very vital role in building up a reputation on the Internet. Similarly, the popularity level on Facebook is also calculated by the number of fan base and interactions. Knowing about the leading pages on Facebook in the country is impressive.

About the Authors:

Adut Maguil, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information