The government of South Sudan has categorically denied widespread rumours circulating on social media claiming that President Salva Kiir Mayardit has died, dismissing them as “false and malicious.”
The 73-year-old president—Africa’s longest-serving head of state outside the continent’s monarchies—became the subject of intense speculation late Wednesday night after several unverified posts, including one by a prominent Kenyan personality, suggested he had “kicked the bucket.”
The claims quickly gained traction online, sparking confusion and concern both within South Sudan and across regional diplomatic circles.
In a swift and strongly worded response issued Thursday, South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the reports as “entirely baseless and irresponsible rumours fabricated by enemies of peace, development, nation-building, and stability.”
“The government of the Republic of South Sudan would like to assure its citizens, the region, and international partners that President Salva Kiir is alive, healthy, and fully engaged in his official duties,” the statement read.
While Kiir has faced ongoing speculation about his health over the years, he has remained publicly visible in recent months—holding high-level meetings with foreign envoys and spearheading significant government reforms.
His recent actions have included high-profile reshuffles and a dramatic crackdown on political rivals, most notably First Vice President Riek Machar, who was recently placed under house arrest along with several of his allies.
These developments have fueled both intrigue and anxiety within the country, as tensions between factions loyal to Kiir and Machar appear to be reigniting. Reports of clashes between rival forces in several regions have stirred fears of a potential relapse into civil war—a conflict that previously devastated the young nation between 2013 and 2018, claiming an estimated 400,000 lives.
The latest bout of insecurity coincides with growing international scrutiny over the delayed implementation of the 2018 peace deal and the country’s fragile political transition. Observers say the spread of disinformation, particularly on social media, poses a new threat to national cohesion in a country already battling ethnic divisions, economic instability, and armed conflict.
The government has urged citizens and the international community to rely on verified information from official channels and not fall prey to what it calls “calculated attempts to destabilize the nation through fear-mongering and fake news.”
President Kiir, who has led South Sudan since its independence in 2011, is expected to play a central role in the country’s transition toward its first democratic elections, now scheduled for late 2024 after multiple delays.
