By Obiala Angel De-son | Torit
The Eastern Equatoria State Government has condemned misinformation circulating on the social media platform “64 Tribes,” which falsely claimed clashes between Toposa youth and Kenyan forces at the Nadapal border.
In a press briefing, State Minister of Information and Postal Services, Hon. Elia John Ahaji, clarified that there were no clashes. Instead, Toposa youth from Morgila North kraals and their Turkana counterparts in Kenya were jointly searching for three lost cattle belonging to Turkana herders.
“We received misleading reports on the ’64 Tribes’ platform alleging clashes between Toposa youth and Kenyan defense forces. This is false. The youths were jointly searching for lost cattle. There was no fighting—business and transport are operating normally. All roads are safe.”
The Minister accused social media users of spreading rumors to damage the state’s reputation.
“There is nothing like fighting at Nadapal. If you doubt, call the local authorities in Kapoeta East. The two communities recently held a joint peace celebration with the governors of Eastern Equatoria and Turkana. These false claims aim to damage our state’s image.”
Ahaji urged users to verify facts before posting online.
“These individuals are hard to trace; some are posting from outside South Sudan. We encourage social media users to get information from reliable sources. These people want Eastern Equatoria and South Sudan to fall back into conflict while they’re safely in refugee camps. But we will maintain peace.”
The government also clarified reports on road robbery and child abduction, saying the incidents occurred in Central Equatoria, not Eastern Equatoria.
“Reports of road robbery and child abduction relate to incidents in Central Equatoria, between Liria Payam and Juba. The entire route shouldn’t be generalized. Travelers should remain vigilant, especially from Liria to Juba. Roads in Eastern Equatoria remain peaceful and operational.”