South Sudan has no plans of adopting anal swab Covid-19 test.  

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False Information!

South Sudan has no plans of adopting anal swab Covid-19 test.  

It is being reported that South Sudan intends to adopt anal swab as a method of having quick COVID-19 test in fight against the novel coronavirus. 

The claim was shared on Facebook and published on several alternative media websites in a barrage of local headlines.

“South Sudan to adopt Anal Swab as COVID-19 cases surge – Medical Practitioner,” reads the headline of Ramciel Broadcasting Corporation news article.

The same article was republished by Juba Eye on their Facebook Page.

When contacted by 211 Check, Dr. Loi Thuou Ezekiel – Ministry of Health spokesperson said, “No, I have never heard something like anal swab. I am the official spokesperson of the ministry of health but I am not aware of that”. 

For his part, Dr. Angelo Guop Thon – Public Health Laboratory Manager overseeing COVID-19 test said the story was a distortion of information. 

He stressed that the physicians are having a number of consultations toward adopting Rapid Breath Analysis (RBT).

“It is called rapid test [RBT] but it is not a swab. We are actually discussing and the final approval is about to be made. The moment it is approved, we shall let you know. It might take 1-2 weeks for it to be approved” said Dr. Angelo. 

As per 211 additional research, anal swab test is being used in China.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/anal-swab-china-coronavirus/2021/01/27/cc284f56-6054-11eb-a177-7765f29a9524_story.html

Anal Swab Test

What is the difference between Anal Swab Test and Rapid Breath Analysis? 

According to medics, an anal swab test involves inserting a cotton swab 1.2 to 2 inches into the rectum. Once the swab reaches there, it is gently rotated several times, then removed and placed into a sample container. The entire process only takes about 10 seconds. The method was first rolled out in China in January this year 2021. 

(https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/anal-swabs-coronavirus)

Rapid Breath Analysis

Early trials of a new test for coronavirus open up the possibility of “rapid identification” for the disease in seconds rather than hours.

Research results published by the Lancet follow trials in Scotland and Germany showing breath analysis developed in Wales may be able to distinguish Covid-19 from other chest infections almost immediately. 

According to medics, the latest machines were developed by Imspex Diagnostics at its headquarters in the Cynon Valley in south Wales. 

Originally, the technology was being used to develop tests to detect illnesses such as lung cancer, and how to distinguish between bacterial and viral respiratory diseases quickly. 

But as the new strain of coronavirus became a global pandemic, the firm took the decision to focus its diagnostic efforts on the emerging disease. 

(https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-54718848)

Kindly, disregard any information online stating that South Sudan is planning to adopt anal swab test. 

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

The story was fact-checked by Emmanuel Bida – AFF – South Sudan fellow. Cohort 1.

The passenger didn’t die inside the plane

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Misleading post!

The passenger did not die inside the plane as stated by some online media houses. 

Various online media houses and personnel on Friday misreported a story where a passenger that came from Khartoum, Sudan passed on at Juba International after shortly after arriving.

They alleged that the passenger died inside BDR airplane, a statement Juba International Airport authorities condemned, saying the old woman fell as she was climbing down from the stairs of the plane. 

“The female passenger who came from Sudan fell down as she was coming from the stairs of the BDR plan with her daughter. After the incident, we immediately lost her” Kur Kuol, Juba International Airport director told 211 on Friday.  

Kuol added that the cause of the death is yet to be known, “the rumors that she died of Covid-19 cant be determined as true now, but doctors are the right people that will tell us the reason behind her death”.  

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

President Kiir isn’t Covid-19 positive, says Ateny

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Fake news!

President Salva Kiir hasn’t contracted Covid-19. 

When contacted by 211 Check on Friday, Presidential Press Secretary – Ateny Wek Ateny stated that president Kiir has not contracted the novel coronavirus as rumored on social media. 

“There are some junior staff that have tested positive and two senior officials, which include me and Madut Majok, the political analyst. 

“We were tested positive but amazingly, the president is not infected, so anything that talks about the president being positive is a lie, they are just fabricated lies, the president is safe” said Ateny. 

Ateny, however, confirmed that a number of staff in the office of the president contracted the virus and are under self-quarantine as recommended by medics. 

When 211 Check also fact-checked the above picture using the Photo Forensic image engine, the picture has no origin and it seems to have been photo-shopped. We wrote to Next Media Management (Uganda) for comments but the company is yet to respond. 

This brief alert is published to sensitize you on the ongoing rumors that the president contracted the coronavirus. And thus when you come across such posts, kindly report them to online social media managements or ignore them.  

Note: Don’t engage yourself in online conversations that spread mis/disinformation and hate related content. 

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

This story was fact-checked by Okech Francis, Emmanuel Bida and Juan Mule, AFF- South Sudan fellows. 

Business woman Achai Wiir didn’t pay South Sudan’s UN membership arrears

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Fake News!

Business lady Achai Wiir didn’t pay South Sudan’s UN membership debts.

A news story published by a South Sudanese online news outlet on Tuesday, 15th of February stated that business lady – Achai Wiir cleared South Sudan’s UN membership arrears. When fact-checked by 211 Check, the story is misleading and qualifies under fake news category.

In an exclusive interview with 211 Check on Wednesday, South Sudan’s deputy Foreign Affairs minister – Deng Dau revealed that the arrears where paid by the Ministry of Finance, a statement that contradicts the news story, which indicated that an anonymous official from Foreign Affairs Ministry said the debts were cleared by business lady Achai Wiir.

“It is the Ministry of Finance who paid the debts. All the government obligations are paid through the Ministry of Finance. It was actually $499,000$ that was paid but due to transactions from one point to another, what arrived seemed to be $495,000.

“The Ministry of Finance wired the money to the Bank of South Sudan and the Bank wired it directly to the Account of UN in New York” Deng revealed. 

He added that the Finance Ministry also cleared the African Union arrears.

“Whatever liquid money that has been going out, is the Ministry of Finance that has been paying. Our role is just to receive the communication from the finance but the finance processes the payment and that is how government works” Deng added.

When contacted by 211 Check, Promoter Kay Two, a close person to business woman Achai describe the news as fake.

“I have just seen that post and it a very big lie. We had not seen or done anything like that and so, we disregard. In fact, we are doing to disregard it right now on Achai Wiir’s page” said K2.

Note: False information spreads so first, kindly endeavor to be always cautious while online. Don’t share any content you are not sure of or you don’t know its origin. Think before you click!

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback. 

A misleading post about alleged S. Sudanese boy killed

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A misleading Post! The Sudanese boy was not killed in Uganda. The incident happened in Egypt last year. 

A post published on Facebook by a South Sudanese user last week indicated that a South Sudanese boy was reportedly murdered in Uganda. 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=231865338597014&id=101742418275974

But when the 211 Check team fact-checked the post, it was identified that the same story was published by the same person in October last year as indicated in the link below. The gentleman just changed the name of the country from Egypt to Uganda. 

The story that angered many South Sudanese was never true, the report revealed that the late murdered boy was a “Sudanese” boy, but not a “South Sudanese” as you two posts stated. 

The young boy’s murderer was an Egyptian man and the incident occurred in October last year as reported by the following news outlet and several Twitter handles.

https://www.alrakoba.net/31475517/%D8%AF%D8%B9%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%   D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D9%84%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1/

https://www.masrtimes.com/14281

In addition, Facebook also published that same article in October last year as in the link below:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=169964338096995&id=109868407439922

Note: to avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback. 

A misleading bank note, 5000 Pounds!

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A misleading bank note, 5000 Pounds!

According to online search engines, the current trending 5,000 denomination was manipulated.

The Central Bank also confirmed to 211 Check that it only launched 1000 Pound note on Tuesday this week.

Disregard the 5000 pound bank note being shared online.

The post was fact-checked by Geu Lazarus, AFF-South Sudan Program fellow.

To know about our fact-checking process check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

Did you know that Facebook and Twitter have policies against Hate Speech?

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It would be accurate to say that the biggest amounts of hate speech and misinformation are circulated on social media platforms, most notably Facebook and Twitter. This is not in the least surprising since most of these perpetrators feel powerful hiding behind the keyboard and therefore social media platforms provide the most expected outlets. But did you know that Facebook and Twitter have well-established policies that prohibit hate speech and the spread of misinformation?

The aim of these policies is to protect their users against being victims of hate speech and misinformation that is rampant on social media. They also aim at creating a safe environment through which users can freely interact regardless of their diverse backgrounds and affiliations. For countries like South Sudan, where in the past online hate speech has led to the escalation of the war, awareness of these policies amongst online users alone would encourage cautiousness in social media use, resulting in a trusting environment amongst South Sudanese with different backgrounds.

With such measures in place, the occurrence of Hate speech and misinformation can easily be reported to Facebook and Twitter, after which such posts can be taken down.  These policies act as guidelines through which acceptable conduct can be attained on the social media platforms, consequently leading to the eradication of hate speech and misinformation as well as lasting peace. They also aim at creating a safe environment through which users can freely interact regardless of their diverse backgrounds and affiliations. The images show parts of the Facebook and Twitter policies which any user can access on their respective websites.

#DefyHateNow Thought of The Week: Through the development of these policies, both Facebook and Twitter have taken major steps in the efforts towards combating hate speech and misinformation online. Our part, therefore, as users of these platforms is to ensure that we utilize the tools handed to us in the fight against hate speech and misinformation through the avoidance of hate speech and misinformation for instance or reporting occurrences of the same.

Interact with us on our Social Media platforms; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Low social media literacy: a disaster that has left many South Sudanese scammed

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Just nine years down from independence after 21 years of brutal civil war with Sudan, South Sudan was left with no or poor infrastructural development. Specifically, technological development was as well left at a standstill.

About a week ago, Tufts University ranked Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania leading countries in digital growth and development in East African. Meanwhile, South Sudan got its first-ever connection to the region and the world last year when three fiber optic companies established offices in Juba – an event that made citizens joyous, particularly those within the capital Juba where most services are based.

In the past and currently, many citizens have and continue to remain unexposed to technological developments. Reports say telecom companies have been the only internet service providers, which at times don’t reach states levels.

According to UNICEF, 7% of South Sudanese across the country have access to the internet. And with low or incomplete digital literacy, especially on social media, many citizens have

become victims of online scams, such as social media accounts hacking and human trafficking, among others.

One of the messages sent to Jansku’s Facebook contact by the hacker.

For instance, Jansuk Samuel, one of the victims says his Facebook account was hacked last month and used for financial assistance requests such as calls for funeral-financial related supports.

According to Jansuk, he was not aware of the occurrences until a friend who was asked for assistance called to inquire about his alleged mother’s cancer admission.

“When I called Jansuk to tell him what happened, he was shocked. If I was not in Uganda and didn’t ask to visit the hospital, I guess I would have no idea about the agenda behind the message and might have become a victim of a scam.

“As I speak to you, I am worried because there might a lot of people that didn’t survive the deception they were placed in. Junsuk told me he still doesn’t have access to the account since last month. I am just imaging the people this hacker is tricking now” Juan, the friend, expressed fears.

In a related incident, the National Communication Authority Director-General – Adok Gai earlier last week told 211Check that the institution could not help a South Sudanese national who lost $90,000 to online scammers months ago on a Mercedes Benz car importation related deal.

“We have someone who lost about $90,000. This was someone who was told he won a Mercedes worth $300,000 and it was stuck in Mombasa and the person insisted and sent that money to those people, who later turned out to be scammers. After sending, the scammers switched off their numbers. This person reported to us and we couldn’t help because of the structures we have. Many people have been exploited due to poor data protection and low digital literacy” said Adok.

Mr. Adok appeals to many South Sudanese to be very vigilant while on various social media platforms.

“They use Facebook Messenger and purport to be ministers stuck in a foreign land and needing to be helped. And as a minister, many have always responded in return of something.

“However, many have always offered low assistance because of their low income. But it depends on how social the minister is. Imagine, if a person is impersonating the minister of petroleum, how much volume of money can be lost” said Adok.

Reporting

As cases continue to grow and more South Sudanese are being scammed online, the National Police say it has no proper data on these crimes, claiming that people don’t report.

“We have heard of these cases as formal talks. It’s really disgraceful that our people don’t report such incidents. Many think when they report, they will be mocked in the community that they are fools.

“This is one of the challenges we are facing, and as a result, we as police need to do some awareness so that these cases are reported so that those people to be brought to book,” said Maj. Gen. Daniel Justice – police spokesperson.

In order to mitigate or avoid such occurrences, the National Communication Authority and police authorities appeal to online users to always be cautious while online as the country embarks on the drafting and enactment of Cyber Crime Law.

#defyhatenow’s insight for December: Social media platforms like Facebook have policies against conduct such as hacking and the creation of fake accounts. You can read more here. This means such suspicious activities can be reported.

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