JUBA – South Sudanese presidential advisor and envoy on special programs Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel has refuted rumors of being positioned to succeed President Salva Kiir Mayardit. Claims circulated on social media over the weekend suggested that Kiir planned to transfer power to Bol Mel while seeking medical treatment abroad.
In a press conference Monday in Juba, Bol reaffirmed his loyalty to the leadership, dismissing the allegations as false and affirming his respect for South Sudan’s governance structure. “I respect my superiors, my country, the system, and the leadership. If you don’t know me, know me today: I respect the superior system, and I’m not jumping,” Bol said.
Bol, who also serves as First Deputy Secretary-General of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) for Political Affairs, criticized social media platforms for spreading misinformation. “Using media to distract the nation and set up confusion is total destruction,” he stated.
Joining Bol, SPLM Secretary-General Peter Lam Both condemned what he described as increased propaganda on social media aimed at destabilizing the government. Lam claimed these campaigns were driven by anti-peace elements, both local and foreign, with the intent to discredit South Sudan’s leadership.
“This is a deliberate move to create disunity within SPLM, defame our leaders, and generate mistrust among government officials,” Lam said, further dismissing allegations of secret meetings within the SPLM to orchestrate leadership changes.
Lam underscored the importance of countering misinformation to maintain national stability, urging caution in media consumption.
