South Sudan denies president Kiir hospitalized in South Africa
October 24, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan government has dismissed as “propaganda” reports that President Salva Kiir is admitted in a South African-based hospital since Friday.
However unconfirmed reports in Juba say President Kiir is currently being treated in a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. The rumours are attributed to a government source accompanying the president.
But there is no details about the illness of the president.
The 64-year-old who has been at the centre of South Sudanese politics since 2005 has reduced attending number of public functions since reports about deteriorating health surfaced but government officials have always denied and claimed he was well and fit for the work.
Daniel Awet Akot, leading member of SPLM faction allied to Kiir dismissed in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Saturday as “not true” reports that the president was in hospital in Johannesburg.
The president was going to Pretoria and I have no information about his presence in Johannesburg, said Akot without giving additional comments on the matter when asked to say whether he was aware the president was unwell before he left the country has received any report about his present whereabouts.
Tor Deng Mawien, a presidential advisor on decentralization and intergovernmental linkage also denied the president was in Johannesburg for medical services, describing it as propaganda by enemy of peace.
“Where did you get this information? Who said it? Please stop asking this nonsense,” said Mawien. “The president is well and is going about his normal business and meetings with South African president and members of his government without any problem since yesterday,” he added.
Reports on social media claimed president is almost dying in a South African hospital. It is also said that the hospital has been surrounded by a huge presence of South African police and security forces protecting him and his entourage at the facility.
(ST)