Faith Nyasuguta
South Sudan has strongly denied reports circulating on social media that President Salva Kiir Mayardit has died, calling the claims baseless, dangerous, and designed to stir unrest.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of South Sudan rubbished the viral allegations that began spreading late Wednesday, asserting that Kiir is not only alive but actively performing his presidential duties with full energy and commitment.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan categorically and strongly denies the false and malicious reports circulating on social media claiming that His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit has passed away,” the statement read.
“The Ministry would like to assure the South Sudanese public, the region, and the international community that H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit is alive, well, and fully engaged in the service of the nation. He continues to carry out his presidential duties with vigour, commitment, sound health and complete fitness.”
The government did not mince words in condemning what it described as a calculated attempt to destabilize the nation and sow confusion. Officials warned that those behind the misinformation are enemies of peace seeking to derail South Sudan’s hard-won stability.
“The Ministry condemns in the strongest terms this deliberate spread of misinformation aimed at creating unnecessary panic, confusion, and instability. Such fake news only serves the interests of those who wish to undermine our nation’s sovereignty, hard-won peace, and progress,” the ministry added.
Since gaining independence from Sudan in July 2011, following a near-unanimous referendum vote, South Sudan has struggled to maintain political stability. A key driver of the turbulence has been the power struggle between President Kiir and his longtime political rival, First Vice President Riek Machar.
Despite peace agreements, tensions have remained high, and multiple ceasefires have either collapsed or stalled. The internal wrangles have drawn in regional players, including Kenya, which has frequently attempted to mediate peace.
In one of the latest moves, President William Ruto appointed former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga as his special envoy to South Sudan in March 2025. The decision came in the wake of Machar’s brief detention, a development that had raised alarm across the region.
However, the Kenyan peace mission hit a snag when Odinga disclosed he was blocked from meeting Machar. This setback cast doubt on the success of Kenya’s diplomatic involvement, even as Ruto continued engagements with other South Sudanese political players.
On February 20, Ruto held talks with the South Sudan Opposition Hold-Out Group in Nairobi, resulting in an agreement to pause the Tumaini Peace Initiative talks until March 2025. The delay was meant to provide time for further consultations, but it also left the future of the fragile peace process hanging in the balance.
South Sudan remains the world’s youngest nation, a title it has held since 2011,but its path to nationhood has been marred by recurring conflict, ethnic divisions, and power tussles. While the government insists it is forging ahead, moments like these false death rumors highlight just how volatile the political landscape remains.
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