Addis Ababa, April 1, 2014 (SSNA) — South Sudanese rebels have denied the death of their leader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurghon, and described the report as fake and unfounded.
The deputy spokeperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in Opposition (SPLM/A-O), Mabior Garang de Mabior, has issued a statement, condemning Sudan Tribune for what he calls a bogus news.
The Sudan Tribune has on Tuesday reported that South Sudanese rebels’ leader Dr. Riek Machar is dead; asserting that a plain clothes shooter (man) with a rifle was responsible.
In a strongly worded statement, Mabior denies the killing of Dr. Machar and lashed out at the ST.
“The SPLM – SPLA [in opposition] would like to caution the Sudan Tribune as this is in poor taste and irresponsible journalism”, Mabior says in the statement.
“The SPLM – SPLA [in oppositon] condemns in the strongest terms the reports by Sudan Tribune today 01/04/2014 that: “Dr. Riek Machar has been found dead”. The SPLM – SPLA [in opposition] further assures the people of South Sudan, the Region and the World that Commander Dr. Riek Machar is safe and in good health”, he continues.
Mabior, the son of South Sudan’s revered leader, late Dr. John Garang de Mabior, further urgued that the so called “April Fools” is not a custom in South Sudan and therefore should be treated as such.
“The societies of South Sudan are not accustomed to the tradition of April Fools and such a report could further negatively impact the security situation in the country”, Mabior added.
However, the ST blames the report on a “hacking”, claiming that somebody may have hacked into their website and published the report.