By William Madouk
Fake news peddlers have created an unnecessary sense of uncertainty and sleepless nights for the residents of Juba regarding alleged tensions or renewed fighting.
Following Last week, Thursday’s shootout at the ex-spy chief’s residence in Tongping, propagandists took advantage of the situation to spread fear among citizens, claiming that Sun City is unsafe due to an impending conflict.
For example, Tuesday evening, major markets such as Konyokonyo, Jebel, and Juba closed earlier as people rushed home over rumors of tensions at the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) headquarters in Bilpam.
The rumors suggested that there was brewing tension within the army after the chief of military intelligence, Gen. Stephen Marrshal, allegedly refused to comply with a suspension order.
In response to these claims, the Army spokesperson, Maj-Gen. Lul Ruai, dismissed the allegations circulating online.
“Gen. Stephen Marshal has not been suspended and he hasn’t been detained. Furthermore, there is no tension in Newsite and Bilpam resulting from this rumour. These are baseless rumours spread by warmongers,” said Lul.
Despite official reassurances, residents continued to share concerns with loved ones, urging caution and advising them to stay home.
On a complementary note, the press secretary in the office of the president also issued a statement dispelling buzz and emphasized tranquility and total peace in the Sun City, Juba.
“The Office of the President would like to reassure the public that the security situation in the capital, Juba, remains calm and peaceful,” said Lily Adhieu Martin Manyiel.
She added that “you may have heard earlier from the Spokesperson of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), the rumours of tension within the military headquarters are baseless and untrue.”
Lily called on the public to dismiss unverified information aimed at instilling fear and disrupting daily life.
“We strongly urge all citizens to ignore any misinformation or unverified reports suggesting unrest.”
The President’s Spokesperson highlighted that rumors are not only false but are made up to create needless panic and disrupt the peace and normalcy in the city.
Also, Former presidential press secretary Ateny Wek Ateny urged citizens to refrain from spreading rumors online, stating that it causes unnecessary panic among the public.
“I think we are amongst the most traumatized citizens in the world. We are also most speculative,” said Ateny.
He noted that an individual might have concocted a lie and told a friend about it, with a promise not to share but a friend shared it with his networks and they similarly shared it like wildfire.
“Within no time, the lies of one’s own creation has travelled to the northern part of South Sudan and back to Juba — now with firm confirmation to the dismay of the lie creator.”
“Like what is happening in Juba now? Everyone has run home to escape utopian fighting. All the vendors, dollar black market buyers/ sellers, shops and some restaurants were closed early,” he said.
Mr. Ateny cited that he was being called repeatedly by some worried relatives and friends, but he informed them that ‘there was nothing happening in Juba.’
“For God’s sake, why do people want to believe the President is ceding power? What is wrong with the President when he is doing well executing his duties, officials or otherwise? Why do we speculate about fighting even when there are no forces holding up against each other?”
“Little do our citizens know, that speculating in the most uninformed society could even cause more insecurity than any anticipated fighting?” he added.
He further affirmed that the nation is safe, adding that he “can only blame online speculation to be the problem.”
“I saw even Nyachgak which I thought was credible also speculating that ‘Juba is not safe tonight’ without further details. So, for those of us who are active online, let’s stop speculating in order to enjoy peace,”
Meanwhile, the deputy mayor of Juba City Council for Admin and Finance, Thiik Thiik Mayardit urged the people to go about with their usual businesses, advising against buying rumours.
“Please get up and attack your day as usual,” Thiik stated.
“Buy everything in all walks of life but don’t buy from rumors’ shops. Those people sell hate, lies, and disruption of the peace of mind,” he advised.
Mr Thiik assured that the country and her city will celebrate our forthcoming Christmas in peace.
The rumour came just a week following heavy gunfire during an attempt to when relocation of former spy chief, General Akol Koor from his residence in Tongping to Jebel went wrong.
Misinformation, the giving of false or misleading information to the public, sometimes deliberately means to deceive and gain a certain advantage.
This wave of misinformation follows a week of chaos related to the attempted relocation of General Akol Koor, which resulted in heavy gunfire.
Misinformation is incorrect or misleading information; meaning misinformation can exist without specific malicious intent, but disinformation is distinct in that – it is deliberately deceptive and propagated.
Misinformation, experts warn could likely return the country to its old path unless nipped in the bud.