Tag Archive for: South Sudan

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.

 Fact-check: Is a new ocean forming in East Africa? Yes, scientists say so

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The formation of a new ocean in East Africa, expected to occur in a million years due to the movement of tectonic plates pushing in opposite directions and creating a chasm, is a gradual process, as indicated by scientists.

Writer: Jibi Moses 

Voice of Juba, a Facebook page posted on the 18th March 2023, pictures of some parts of the globe, mainly the African continent, with claims that Scientists have discovered a new ocean forming as Africa begins to split.

The post claimed this discovery could see East Africa forming its separate continent. South Sudan, Zambia and Uganda could one day have their coastlines if the land mass continues to separate. 

A screenshot of the post by Voice of Juba

Investigation:

On carrying out Google and Bing searches, several results show that there is a possibility of an Ocean forming in East Africa, given the presence of the rift Valley backed by scientific evidence. The rift Valley spreads itself from the southern part of Africa to the East African countries of Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia and connects to the Red Sea. 

However, these sources clearly state that this process would take millions of years to happen as it’s gradual. These explanations are seen here below as 1, 2, 3, 4. Besides, these youtube videos explain more 1, 2.

“This is the only place on Earth where you can study how a continental rift becomes an oceanic rift,” said Christopher Moore, a PhD doctoral student at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, who has been using satellite radar to monitor volcanic activity in East Africa that is associated with the continent’s breakup.

It’s thought that Africa’s new ocean will take at least between five million and ten million years to form.

The East African Valley:

The East African Rift (EAR) or East African Rift System (EARS) is an active continental rift zone in East Africa. The EAR began developing around the onset of the Miocene, 22–25 million years ago.[1] In the past, it was considered part of a larger Great Rift Valley that extended north to Asia Minor.

A narrow zone, the rift is a developing divergent tectonic plate boundary where the African Plate is splitting into two tectonic plates, called the Somali Plate and the Nubian Plate, at a rate of 6-7 mm per year.[2] The rift system consists of three microplates, the Victoria Microplate to the north and the Rovuma and Lwandle microplates to the south. The Victoria Microplate is rotating anti-clockwise for the African plate. Its rotation is caused by the configuration of mechanically weaker and stronger lithospheric regions in the East African Rift system.

In addition to this description, many geologists and geological houses have described it as here here here, here, and here, 

Tectonic plates and  forces:

A tectonic plate (a lithospheric plate) is a massive, irregularly shaped solid rock, generally composed of continental and oceanic lithosphere. Plate size can vary greatly, from a few hundred to thousands of kilometres across; the Pacific and Antarctic Plates are among the largest. There are seven significant plates; Pacific Plate, North American Plate, Eurasian Plate, African Plate, Antarctic Plate, Indo-Australian Plate, and South American Plate. 

Meanwhile, Tectonic forces refer to the forces or conditions within the earth that cause crust movements. designating the results of such movements: tectonic valleys. These forces are significant in forming the continents and subsequent features like rift valleys and lakes.

Conclusion:

Given the evidence from science that East Africa is within the East African Rift Valley System, which is active as evidenced by the active volcanic mountains and the changes (expansion) of the rift valley every year and in addition, the proof by science that tectonic plate (African Plate) on which the East African part of the continent lies are moving apart over time, it is true that a new ocean is forming in East Africa. The Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea will flood over the Afar region and into the East African Rift Valley and become a new ocean, and that part of East Africa will become its own separate small continent.

However, this is expected to happen in a million years to come, as these changes are happening in a very gradual process.

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

Fact-check: These images are not of a protest in Nairobi, Kenya

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It is false that the pictures shared on Sixty 4 Tribes Press are about a protest in Kenya which allegedly destroyed a vehicle belonging to the South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi.

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

Sixty 4 Tribes Press, a controversial Facebook page, posted a report on March 20, 2023, that protestors in Kenya had badly shattered a South Sudan embassy vehicle in Nairobi.

“A South Sudan embassy vehicle in Nairobi has been badly shattered by protesters as protests heightened in the Kenya capital,” the post reads.

The Sixty 4 Tribes Press, a Facebook page with over 57,000 followers, has been in the limelight for sharing hate speech and misinformation-related content.

However, the claim is false because according to Google Lens searches here, here, and here, the pictures shared and posted were used on different pages, years and in different countries and not from a recent incident in Kenya. 

A screenshot of Sixty 4 Tribes Press claims that the images are from Kenya

The picture was used on August, 23,2016 in Mamelodi, South Africa, on the  Pretoria News Facebook page

It was taken near the Heatherly Cemetery in Mamelodi East, following fracas over a housing controversy, and credited to Oupa Mokoena of Pretoria News. Police were forced to use a stun grenade to disperse the crowd, sending people running for cover.

A picture on Twitter(@omwambaKE) showing a particular live scene from Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) 

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that protestors have destroyed a South Sudan embassy vehicle in Nairobi, Kenya false

The pictures were randomly collected from the internet to fabricate a story which has not occurred anywhere in Nairobi, Kenya in the wake of the announcement of the Pro Raila protest.

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

Fact-check: These images are not of a man named Bismark in Juba

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It is false that a man named Bismark was admitted to the Juba teaching hospital for skinning his tattooed chest. The picture is of a National Unity Platform (NUP) activist Eric Mwesigwa who was allegedly detained and tortured on his chest.

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

Suncity TV, a Facebook page having about 5,470 followers, posted on the 10th March 2023 a story and pictures of a man purportedly called Bismark, who was admitted to Juba Teaching hospital in South Sudan after he reportedly skinned off his girlfriend’s name tattooed on his chest during the good times of their relationship.

“Suncity met with Bismark this morning from Juba Teaching Hospital. He said the lady broke up with him after graduating from the University of Juba…,” the post reads in part.

The claim is, however, false and here is why.

Photos used by Suncity TV claiming to be of the same man Bismark. 

Two Google reverse image searches here and here using the above pictures show the first image used by these Facebook pages were first used as seen here 1, 2,3. In all of these scenarios, they were different times when the picture was used. One post was captioned, “Phiona, where are you? See how the boychild has loved you.”

The second picture, however, is of a National Unity Platform (NUP) activist Eric Mwesigwa who was allegedly detained and tortured on his chest and burnt with some metals (allegedly flat iron) by the Ugandan Security Services. The following people reported about him, as seen here; ChimpReports, The Observer, YouTube, Twitter, and Sudhir Byaruhanga.

Photo of NUP activist Eric Mwesigwa who was detained and tortured allegedly by Ugandan Security Services. 

Conclusion: 

211 Check finds the claim that a man in Lologo, a neighbourhood in Juba, South Sudan, is reported to have skinned his girlfriend’s name tattooed on his chest false.

The pictures were randomly collected from the internet to fabricate a story which has not occurred anywhere in South Sudan.

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

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

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

Writer: Jibi Moses

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

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

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

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

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

A screenshot of the post by Junub press.

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

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

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

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

A screenshot of a post by Eye Radio 

A screenshot of a post by Jonglei TV

Conclusion:

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

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

Fact-check: South Sudan does have a postal office

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

Writer: Emmanuel Bida Thomas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Writer: Jibi Moses

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

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

A screenshot from the page showing different pictures of the snake

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

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

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

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

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

Conclusion:

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

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

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

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

Writer: Jibi Moses

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

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

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

Screenshot of the Facebook post

Investigation:

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

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

Conclusion:

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

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

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

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

Writer: Jibi Moses 

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

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

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

A screenshot of the post from the Facebook page.

Investigation:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Screenshot of the whois analysis of Vuka.co.ke

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

Conclusion:

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

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

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

FALSE: This photo used to show construction of Likoni bypass is not from Kenya

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The photo is of the Interstate Highway in the United States.

Writer: PesaCheck

A photo shared on Facebook with text praising former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta for the construction of the Likoni bypass in Mombasa is FALSE.

The photo, which was shared on 18 November 2022, is accompanied by the write-up implying that the road was one of the projects implemented by the former president’s administration.

“UHURU amefanya kazi kweli,hongera sana uhuru Wale ambao hamjapitia likoni bypass ndio hiyo sasa. (UHURU has really worked, congratulations Uhuru. For those of you who haven’t used Likoni bypass, this is it now),” the text reads.

But does the photo show the Likoni bypass? We checked and a reverse image search established that the image is of the Interstate Highway in the United States of America (USA).

The photo has been used by publications from as early as 2002. An article by boston.com credited the photo to the Associated Press (AP).

We did a keyword search on Google for the Likoni bypass and found out that it is part of the larger Dongo Kundu bypass, premised on decongesting the Likoni ferry channel.

The Dongo Kundu bypass is a three-phase project started in March 2020 while Kenyatta was president. Its projected completion date is March 2024.

PesaCheck has examined a photo shared on Facebook with text praising former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta for the construction of the Likoni bypass and finds 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.