Breaking: President Salva Kiir, Dead or Alive?

JUBA, South Sudan.

Oct 12, 2016(Nyamilepedia) —- On Tuesday Oct 11, more than half of Juba population began to prepare for the worst or better as rumors spread that South Sudan’s incumbent troubled president died of short-lived illness.

Both soldiers and civilians were paralyzed by the rumor not necessarily because they do not want to see him dead but due to confusion on who would take over the leadership of the failed young state.

While some argue that President Salva Kiir cannot die before he face justice for atrocities he committed against the people of South Sudan others became to scramble over the leadership.

None of Kiir’s vice presidents is a Dinka but the army chief has shown interest in the leadership, which could be acceptable to the Dinka Counsil of Elders, however, SPLM elites argues that such a takeover would scale up the conflict as it would violate the SPLM Constitution and also the national constitution.

As tension temporarily began to subside, Nyamilepedia Press visited big trading centres, the markets in the capital namely; Juba Town, KonyoKonyo and Custom markets on Tuesday October 11 to interview civilians, here is what our correspondent found.

“KonyoKonyo market has been operating from 6am till 7pm, forced its clients to their homes around 2pm without some passengers stranded waiting for means of transportation to their various locations but its become hell day for almost half of passengers as there has very and very long queue for public transportation means like taxi, three-wheel bikes, BodaBoda are available with costly prices,” Nyamilepedia correspondent reports.

Equally to this, Nyamilepedia Press visited Juba Town market and it is centre for all transportation means to various locations in Juba residential areas and that “Market was closed earlier than usual time of closing the business, all shops and some public restaurants closed up before 4pm,”

At 5pm, Nyamilepedia Press found custom market main gate locked up, many citizens were very busy on street searching their means of transportation to their residential areas.

Tension at Custom Market forced Nyamilepedia press correspondent to reach his residence at 8pm on one hour and fifteen minutes walks from Custom Taxi Park due to lack of  public transport.

All in all, citizens in Juba Town areas become Journalists for themselves. They are all investigating whether the president is dead or alive, however, none seems to know the right answer.

Apart from Ateny Wek Ateny, who dismissed the allegations and said that the president is alive and well, many military officers have very strangers and body language.

While some officer refused to answer, some claim that they don’t care whether the president is dead or alive.

After 6 hours of rumors spreading, Eye radio carried an interview with Presidency press secretary and this is what he says;

The Office of the President has dispelled rumors that President Salva Kiir Mayardit is dead.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny describes the news as “another wishful thinking”.

“President Salva Kiir is healthy and is going about is duties normally,” partly read the statement. “He was in his Office today until 3:00 pm and had no any complaint about his health. On hearing those rumors, I went to his house just to find him reading in his home library.” Mr Ateny appealed to the general public to remain calm.

“I’d like to inform our citizens to ignore such rumors mongering and remain focused on their normal duties.”  Ateny Wek said.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Michael Makuei told reporters this morning that the President is “not sick”, let alone “dead”.

Nyamilepedia press observed, although many supporters are yawning to hear from the President himself, but Mr. Kiir hasn’t shown up to speak to citizens up to this point.