Tag Archive for: #SouthSudan

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Explainer: South Sudan’s debt burden and sovereign vulnerability 

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Summary:

The Republic of South Sudan, as of October 2025, continues to face a critical sovereign debt crisis, characterised by extreme vulnerability and complex legal threats. The nation is officially classified by the joint World Bank/IMF Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) in 2021 as being at a high risk of external and overall public debt distress. 

The official macroeconomic projections estimate the debt-to-GDP ratio at approximately 58 per cent of GDP for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, signalling large vulnerabilities. This macroeconomic fragility is further evidenced by a projected net lending/borrowing (overall balance) deficit of 6.64% of GDP in 2025, indicating high dependence on external or domestic financing.

The core issue driving the crisis, however, is not the official debt but an extensive portfolio of opaque, non-concessional commercial liabilities. This outstanding oil-backed debt stands near US$2.3 billion. These liabilities have recently matured into major international legal judgements, including a US$1 billion arbitration award for Qatar National Bank (QNB) and a US$657 million court order for the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). 

The combined total of these enforceable judgments, exceeding $1.65 billion, poses an immediate threat to the nation’s liquid assets and oil export streams.

This profound debt distress is identified as a direct consequence of systemic governance failure, specifically the persistent non-implementation of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA) of 2013. The failure to operationalise mandated Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) created a crucial fiscal vacuum, which was subsequently filled by high-interest, non-transparent borrowing.

Download the full analysis here

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Fact-check: Yes, the 2018 revitalised agreement allocates positions to its signatories.

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Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A Facebook page bearing the name Hon. Michael Makuei Lueth in a post on Thursday claimed that the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCISS) has not allocated positions to the agreement’s signatories.

“There is no provision which talk about the allocation of positions in accordance with the provisions of the revitalized peace agreement. The agreement, of course, talks of the sharing of power,” reads part of the claim paragraph.

Screenshot of the Facebook claim

Facts:

Chapter 1 of the agreement established the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU), which was formed in 2020 and composed of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) under President Salva Kiir, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in Opposition (SPLM-IO) under Dr. Riek Machar, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), Former Detainees (FDs), and Other Political Parties (OPP), all of which are signatories to the agreement.

Besides, article 1.5 of chapter 1 outlined the structure of the executive of the R-TGoNU, which is headed by President Salva Kiir under SPLM, deputised by the First Vice President (now suspended) Riek Machar under SPLM-IO, followed by four vice presidents nominated by the incumbent (under SPLM), SSOA, TGoNU (under Taban Deng Ghai), and FDs. 

All positions at the executive were allocated according to the revitalised agreement under power-sharing arrangements, both at the national and state levels, including the legislatures.

On the other hand, the page also stated that President Kiir is the final authority to appoint and dismiss government officials, including the First Vice President.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit is the final authority that appoints and fires officials from positions and has the power to dismiss the First Vice President,” the page asserted.

211 Check reviewed the peace agreement chapters and found that section 1.6.2.4 of chapter 1 empowers President Salva Kiir to appoint and preside over the swearing into office of the First Vice President, and the Vice Presidents, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

Context:

In a statement issued two weeks ago by the Ministry of ICT and Postal Services, it distanced Minister Michael Makuei Lueth from the Facebook pages and termed them as “forged accounts” and asserted that Makuei does not have any official Facebook.

“The Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services would like to inform the  general  public that the Facebook acounts created in the name of Hon. Michael Makuei Lueth are all forged accounts therefore they are considered  invalid and fake accounts,” reads part of the press statement issued by the ICT Ministry on the 1st of October 2025.

“Minister Makuei doesn’t have any Facebook account rather, he communicates through the official channels of the government. Thus, you’re urged to disregard any writtings posted on the Facebook accounts claiming to be  Hon. Michael Makuei Lueth,” it adds.

Conclusion:

The Facebook page bearing the name Hon. Micheal Makuei is not only fake but also involved in peddling misleading information about the provisions in the revitalised peace agreement.

The page misrepresented the Minister of ICT and Postal Services, Hon. Michael Makuei Lueth, who does not have an official Facebook account.

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.

Fighting misinformation and disinformation in the media is crucial to avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives, but fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

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Fact Check: No, Riek Machar has not been hanged, but is currently on trial.

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Writer: Rufina Isaac

The claim on social media that Dr. Riek Machar has been hanged for crimes is false. The claim posted here and shared by Naath in Europe on Facebook and other pages received a lot of reactions and engagement online, yet misleading.

Screenshot of the Claim 

Facts:

Dr. Riek Machar has not been hanged, but he and the other 7 co-accused are currently facing trial in a special court on murder, treason, crimes against humanity, terrorism, and destruction of property charges. 

Given that, no sentencing has been carried out, and the court proceeding is ongoing.

The court has been holding sessions to review evidence, including documents and electronic data allegedly linked to Machar and his co-accused.

The claim is part of the disinformation meant to distort facts and incite havoc in the communities in the country.

South Sudan is still navigating a delicate peace process, and inflammatory or inaccurate claims could undermine stability.

Conclusion:

The claim on social media that Dr. Riek Machar has been hanged for “crimes now we are free of all nonsense in South Sudan” is false and misleading while the court proceeding is still ongoing, with another session expected to take place tomorrow in Juba at Freedom Hall.  

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.

Fighting misinformation and disinformation in the media is crucial to avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives, but fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

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Fact-check: No, this video is not showing the SSPDF violent attack in Wau.

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Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A video claim posted on Sixty 4 Tribes Press’ Facebook page this morning, with the caption “video footage from Wau SSPDF bombardment,” is false.

The video, which portrays women and children in panic while running with gunshot sounds in the background, was not captured in South Sudan but in Nigeria.

Screenshot of the Facebook claim

Verification:

211 Check ran a Google Reverse Image search of the video claim, and it has been established that the video was not recorded in South Sudan, but in Niger state of Nigeria

Other platforms shared the video with captions portraying a violent attack by bandits in Rijau town, Niger state.

Niger State is one of the 36 states in Nigeria, which is located in the North-Central geographical zone.

Context:

There are no credible local media reports about the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) bombardment or attack in Wau today or recently. However, according to Radio Tamazuj, SSPDF launched today’s airstrikes in Jur River County while targeting areas under the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO).

Both Wau and Jur River Counties are part of the Western Bahr El Ghazal State.

Conclusion:

The video posted by the Sixty 4 Tribes Press page with the claim that it was the footage from the SSPDF bombardment in Wau is false and misleading. The video was not captured in South Sudan but in the Niger State of Nigeria, according to social media reports.

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.

Fighting misinformation and disinformation in the media is crucial to avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives, but fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

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Fact-check: No, Dr. Machar’s lead defence lawyer has not been abducted in Juba.

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Writer: Ochaya Jackson

The claim on social media that Dr. Riek Machar’s defence lawyer, Dr. Geri Raimondo Legge, was abducted on Wednesday by the National Security officers in Juba is false. 

Earlier this morning, some social media platforms published claims saying that Geri was picked up by “men in unmarked vehicles” and taken to unknown locations.

Screenshot of the claim

However, there is no official public confirmation from the Machar defence team in Juba, as well as government institutions.

Besides, according to Radio Tamazuj, Geri debunked the claim as fake and not true. 

“I am senior counsel Dr. Geri, currently present at [the] Mudiriya courts in Juba. What is going on social media is fake and not true,” Radio Tamazuj quoted Legge during an interview today regarding the claim.

“All the security is very cooperative with us. These are people giving us security by protecting us, and they are happy with me because I’m defending our country, South Sudan,” he adds.

Dr. Machar and his 7 co-accused are facing trial in a special court set up in Juba on cases of murder, treason, crimes against humanity, and terrorism related to the Nasir conflict in March this year.

Verification:

211 Check reviewed social media pages of other defence lawyers and found no confirmation of the claim about Geri’s abduction.

Conclusion:

The claim on social media that defence lawyer Dr. Geri Raimondo was kidnapped on Wednesday by the National Security officers in Juba is false, and the media report indicates that the claim is fake.

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.

Fighting misinformation and disinformation in the media is crucial to avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives, but fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

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Fact-check: No, Riek Machar’s defence lawyer’s office has not been raided

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Writer: Ochaya Jackson

The claims on social media platforms that the National Security Service has today raided the office of Riek Machar’s defence lawyer, Kur Lual, are false and misleading.

Such an incident did not happen, and Kur, on his Facebook page, debunked it as not true.

“Some social media outlets have circulated news that Prof. Core & Associates Law Office was exposed to burglary and plundering documents, in addition to allegations that the defense attorney was exposed in the case of D. Riak Machar and others for security threats. We can confirm that this news is completely bare to true, the office has not been subjected to any burglary or looting, and neither of the lawyers have been subjected to threat of any kind from any side,” reads part of Kur’s statement posted on his Facebook page.

In addition to that, there have also been rumours that the defence team of Machar has been harassed, assaulted or arrested. But Warnyang Kir Warnyang, one of the defence lawyers, described it as “baseless slander”.

“Rumors going around about a defense attorney being harassed, assaults or arrests is just baseless slander. We strongly condemn the lack of context behind such deliberate rumors, since spreading such false news only harms the safety of our families, and distorts our focus on doing our professional duty in facing criminal suits,” Warnyang stated on his social media page.

Context:

Dr. Riek Machar and his 7 other associates are facing trial on charges related to the Nasir attack in March this year. The trial began on Monday this week in Juba before a special court instituted by the judiciary. As such, Machar and his co-accused have a legal defence team which comprises 6 lawyers.

Conclusion:

211 Check found the claim that Machar lawyer’s office has been raided by the National Security Service as false and misleading. The defence lawyers have debunked the claim as false and baseless.

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.

Fighting misinformation and disinformation in the media is crucial to avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives, but fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

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Fact-check: The Ministry of Justice cites sections 186 and 334 inaccurately.

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Writer: Ochaya Jackson

On Thursday, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs announced charges against opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny and 7 other officials who were detained earlier this year. However, claims immediately emerged on social media platforms of inaccuracies in citing sections 186 and 334 of the Penal Code Act, 2008.

In a press statement released while announcing the charges, the ministry cited various sections of the law in the Penal Code Act, 2008, in reference to murder (section 206), conspiracy and common intention (sections 67 and 69), terrorism and financing terrorist acts (section 44, Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act, 2012, as amended in 2024), treason and acts against state authority (section 64), destruction of public property and military assets (section 334), and crimes against humanity (section 186) against Dr. Machar and 7 other suspects under detention.

Subsequently, the charges were referred to the competent court for trial, with assurance of due process and international standards in criminal proceedings.

The charges were filed on the allegation that Dr. Machar and his co-accused under the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement-in-Opposition (SPLA/M-IO) “influenced” the White Army militia to attack the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) barracks on the 3rd of March 2025 in Nasir County of Upper Nile State, which led to the death of Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak, more than 250 soldiers, and a United Nations pilot.

Claims Verification:

211 Check reviewed the Penal Code Act, 2008, against sections 186 and 334 in question and established that section 186 deals with “Fouling Water of Public Well or Reservoir”, not crimes against humanity; meanwhile, section 334 deals with “House Breaking by Night”, not destruction of public property and military assets as cited by the ministry.

Conclusion:

The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs made a mistake by citing section 186 inaccurately in reference to crimes against humanity and section 334 in reference to destruction of public property and military assets in the charges against Dr. Riek Machar and the other 7 suspects.

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.

Fighting misinformation and disinformation in the media is crucial to avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives, but fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

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Fact-check: No, the group photo of army officers was not taken in South Sudan.

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Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A group picture of army officers shared by the Sixty 4 Tribes Press Facebook page today, with a claim that a Senegalese army officer is training a rebel movement, the Equatoria People’s Liberation Movement/Army in South Sudan, is false and misleading. 

“A Senegalese Army officer has been identified as the training officer for the newly formed rebel movement in South Sudan, known as the Equatoria People’s Liberation Movement/Army, a truly empowering development for the youth,” reads part of the false claim paragraph.

Screenshot of the Facebook claim.

Verification:

211 Check conducted a Google reverse image search of the claimed army officers’ group photo and established that the picture was taken in Senegal (2016) of Senegalese soldiers alongside US Army personnel after participating in a “company-level combined arms live-fire exercise”, not in South Sudan.

Context:

According to a statement published on the US Army website in 2016, the army officers’ group photo involving both the Senegalese and US Army personnel came as a result of an annual U.S. Army Africa exercise dubbed “Africa Readiness Training 16”, which was conducted in Thiès, Senegal. 

Conclusion:

A group picture of army officers posted by the Sixty 4 Tribes Press Facebook page, with a claim that a Senegalese army officer has been identified training 100 soldiers of a rebel group called the Equatoria People’s Liberation Movement/Army, is false and misleading. The group photo was not only taken in South Sudan, but also shows the Senegalese and U.S. Army officers.

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.

Fighting misinformation and disinformation in the media is crucial to avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives, but fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

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Fact-check: No South Sudanese nationals have been arrested during protests in Kenya.

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Writer: Makur Majeng

A press statement circulating on social media and some mainstream media platforms alleging that the Kenyan National Police Service (NPS) arrested 19 South Sudanese nationals—alongside other foreigners—for participating in recent violent protests in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya is false.

A document purporting to be an official press release from the Office of the Inspector General of Kenya’s National Police Service (NPS) claims that foreigners, including 19 South Sudanese nationals, were arrested during anti-government protests. It lists other foreign nationals as well and claims a crackdown on undocumented immigrants is underway.

The document, dated July 6, 2025, includes arrest figures for citizens of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda, Nigeria, South Sudan, Yemen, and stateless individuals.

Claim Verification:

The National Police Service of Kenya has explicitly discredited the document in a statement issued via its official communication channels on July 7, 2025.

“This press statement circulating on social media, purporting to be issued by the Spokesperson of the National Police Service, is fake,” reads part of the Kenya National Police Service.


On the other hand, the Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan in Nairobi also issued a press release on July 7, 2025, dismissing the claims as misinformation.

“As of the time of this release, no South Sudanese citizen has been reported to the embassy as having been arrested or detained by Kenyan authorities in connection with the ongoing demonstrations,” reads a statement from the South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi.

Context

While protests in Kenya have drawn widespread attention, there is no verified evidence supporting claims that foreign nationals—particularly South Sudanese—have been systematically targeted or arrested en masse.

Conclusion

211 Check finds the document claiming that 19 South Sudanese nationals were arrested during recent protests in Kenya is fake. It has been debunked by both the National Police Service of Kenya and the South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi.

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’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing.  For more details, visit https://211check.org/, or message us on WhatsApp at +211 921 350 435. #FactsMatter.



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Fact-check: No, the National Bureau of Statistics is not recruiting staff for the census as claimed

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The NBS has not advertised any new vacancies, and the circulating link is part of an online scam, and according to NBS, the census process has not yet officially begun

Writer: Makur Majeng

A fraudulent WhatsApp message claiming that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is recruiting ad hoc staff for the upcoming 2025 Population and Housing Census, circulating widely across South Sudan, is false and misleading. 

The WhatsApp message claims that the National Bureau of Statistics has opened an online application portal to recruit temporary census workers.

“The National Bureau of Statistics has opened its online application portal to recruit ad hoc staff for its upcoming population and housing census. Recruitment is ongoing. Interested candidates are requested to apply online via the portal. Please use the link below to access the NBS e-recruitment portal,” part of the message claim.

Screenshot of the WhatsApp message:

When users click on the provided link, they are prompted to submit personal information such as their full name, phone number, email address, date of birth, and gender. 

After filling in the form, users are directed through a series of pages asking to share with 5 groups or 15 friends on WhatsApp and instructing them to “SHARE.”

Upon completing these steps, the site congratulates the user on a “successful application” and asks them to submit the application form. However, further clicks redirect users to unrelated and potentially harmful websites, exposing their personal data to misuse.

Screenshots of the phishing website steps:

Claim Verification

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has officially debunked the claim through a press release issued on April 28, 2025.

“The Bureau would like to notify the public that the recruitment announced on 26/04/2025 is not from the Bureau’s Management, including the website created,” reads part of the press release.

“The Population and Housing Census is a government project that involves all public institutions and relevant international agencies. Its commencement must be declared by the Head of State/President, which is yet to happen,” it added.

The NBS further warned that the fraudulent website aims to steal users’ personal information and urged the public to be vigilant. It called on the National Communication Authority to take action against the impersonators.

A WHOIS lookup of the shortened link shows that the final destination is anonymised and not affiliated with the official NBS domain (www.nbs.gov.ss). 

Shortened links like “TinyURL” are commonly used by scammers to obscure the actual malicious or suspicious websites behind them.

Screenshot of WHOIS domain lookup:

A VirusTotal scan of the URL flagged it as suspicious, with several antivirus engines categorising the link as potentially malicious. VirusTotal identified risks associated with phishing attacks and personal data theft.

This further confirms that the website linked in the WhatsApp message is unsafe and designed to scam unsuspecting applicants.

Conclusion

211 Check found that the claim circulating on WhatsApp about the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recruiting ad hoc staff for the 2025 Population and Housing Census is fake and misleading. 

The NBS has not advertised any new vacancies, and the circulating link is part of an online scam, and according to NBS, the census process has not yet officially begun. 

Citizens are advised to verify any recruitment announcements directly through the official NBS website (www.nbs.gov.ss) or authorised communication channels.

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’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing.  For more details, visit https://211check.org/, or message us on WhatsApp at +211 921 350 435. #FactsMatter.