Rumors of Kiir’s Death: Government of South Sudan Refutes Death Rumors
The Government of South Sudan officially responded to the rumor with a firm denial. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a press statement calling the news “false, malicious, and intended to incite panic.”
The spark of the rumor was traced to a Kenyan social media user, Alinur Mohamed, who posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“I hear President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has kicked the bucket. Let’s wait for official communication.”
The post went viral, amplified by several Kenyan online platforms and dubious pages impersonating South Sudanese media. Within hours, the narrative spread across East Africa, causing unnecessary alarm and raising diplomatic eyebrows.
“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 official statement read.
The ministry assured citizens and international partners that the president remains in good health and is actively discharging his duties with full vigor.
“H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit is alive, well, and fully engaging in the service of the nation.”
The government further condemned the originators of the rumor as “enemies of peace, development, nation-building, and stability,” calling upon the public to refrain from spreading unverified content.
A Pattern of Misinformation
This isn’t the first time South Sudan has been swept up in rumors about President Kiir’s death. In October 2016, false reports about his demise led to panic in Juba, prompting the president to make a public appearance to dismiss the speculation. Again in 2020, similar rumors surfaced and were quashed by government statements and televised appearances.
What makes this 2025 episode particularly concerning is that even South Sudanese authorities first heard of the claim from Kenyans online. That a neighboring country’s social media environment can trigger political anxiety within another nation reveals how fragile the information ecosystem has become.
