South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has made a public appearance in the country’s capital juba, quashing all speculation about his health.
Rumours about kirr’s health made the rounds since last week after he failed to make his normally regular appearances on television.
Kiir’s appearance in Juba today brings an end to rumors that he had been diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus disease and has been receiving medical attention in Egypt.
“I want to urge all of you to refocus your energies to the fight against coronavirus pandemic and leave futile politicking and helpless propaganda for now,” Kiir told the public.
“The disease we are fighting does not differentiate whether this is a Muslim or Christian, Dinka or Acholi, SPLM or SPLM-IO and therefore this is the unforgiving monster in the room,” the president added.
The South Sudanese leader also dismissed the letter shared on social media claiming that he had delegated Vice-President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol to act as the country’s president until future notice.
“There has never been any reassignment of duties of the President. The Public should not delve into propaganda,” Kiir said.
The president urged the public to remain cautious and observe health guidelines set out by the Ministry of Health in order to control the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“We now have over 600 active cases of COVID-19 and if we are not careful enough, then such numbers will shoot up and we will be in very deplorable state as country to contain it,” he said.
He added ,”I am once again urging all the citizens specially those residing in densely populated areas like cities and towns to keenly observe the rules of social distancing, wearing of face masks and regular hand washing.
Earlier, presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny described the letter as fake and illogical saying if the president wants to delegate his powers, he cannot choose Hussein Abdelbagi from the opposition South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).
Also, the letter doesn’t have the seal of the republic and reference number,” Ateny said.