The Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Service Ateny Wek Ateny has dismissed reports that Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior was prevented from traveling, describing the claims as unverified rumours.
Ateny said the government had received no official communication indicating that Nyandeng had been stopped from traveling or placed under any form of travel restriction.
“The Vice President was not blocked. This falls into the situation I am here with you today because of rumor-mongering,” Ateny told journalists.
The reports emerged after Nyandeng made remarks during the funeral of the late Kosti Manibe Ngai, according to the minister.
Ateny said speculation subsequently circulated that the Vice President intended to travel but had been prevented from doing so. He said there was, however, no official information to substantiate the claim.
“Vice President Nyandeng made a statement during the funeral of the late Kosti Manibe Ngai, and it was later rumored that she wanted to travel but was blocked. However, there has been no official communication indicating that she was blocked,” he explained.
The minister further reassured the public that Nyandeng remains free to travel both within and outside South Sudan.
“She is a free citizen. She can travel anytime she wants. So, I want to tell the public that this information is false,” he said.
The clarification comes amid growing public discussion on social media and through informal channels about Nyandeng’s movements and alleged restrictions on her travel.
Ateny urged the public to distinguish between verified information and unconfirmed reports, particularly when dealing with sensitive issues involving senior government officials.
He said claims of a travel ban or other restrictions should not be treated as factual unless confirmed by the government or the Vice President’s office.
Nyandeng, one of South Sudan’s five Vice Presidents, remains a prominent figure in the country’s political landscape. Her public statements and movements have often attracted attention amid ongoing political developments.
For now, the government maintains that no travel restriction has been imposed on Nyandeng and that she remains free to travel whenever she chooses.