SPLM accuses ‘disgruntled politicians’ of plotting to overthrow Kiir

JUBA – South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), led by President Salva Kiir, on Tuesday accused unnamed individuals of disseminating fake news in a bid to destabilize the government.

Speaking at a press conference held at the SPLM House in Juba, SPLM Secretary-General Peter Lam Both alleged that both domestic and international actors are behind the spread of misinformation aimed at undermining President Kiir’s leadership.

“The majority of those sponsoring this propaganda are those who are fighting against the government and the SPLM. Some of them are disgruntled politicians who are looking for positions in government,” Lam told journalists.

Lam cautioned groups he described as “foreign agents,” “anti-peace elements,” and certain “politicians” against spreading false information designed to cause panic and unrest in the capital.

“Some of these people are based in South Sudan and others in foreign countries. Their main aim is to discredit the government, create disunity within SPLM, and defame the leaders of our country, as well as create rift and mistrust between and among leaders of the same government and the same party,” he said.

The SPLM Secretary-General also dismissed recent social media rumors suggesting that Presidential Envoy on Special Programs Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel had been sworn in as acting president and had directed the Central Bank Governor to audit the accounts of President Kiir’s family.

“The sources of these rumours are sponsored by individuals to target some leaders in our government. And the writers, most of whom are young social media writers, are being paid by some political leaders to do this. And we know this because we have also found some of them,” Lam said.

He further claimed that external actors are funding the spread of these rumors with the aim of sowing chaos within the country.

Presidential Special Envoy and SPLM First Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs Benjamin Bol Mel also addressed the issue, warning politicians against using social media for propaganda purposes.

“We, the SPLM here, are also not going to give a chance to those who are trying to cause another war. We will deal with those who are trying to encourage negative politics,” Bol said.