David Kumuri, NSS Spokesperson. [Photo: Sudans Post]JUBA – South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) has dismissed allegations linking Senior Presidential Envoy Adut Salva Kiir and the Director General of its Internal Security Bureau (ISB), Gen. Akech Tong Aleu, to an alleged mining deal in Warrap State, describing the claims as false, malicious and part of a coordinated campaign to tarnish their reputations.

The allegations, first published by online outlet Watchdog Press before circulating widely on social media, claimed that Gen. Akech, Adut Salva Kiir and several other individuals had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to exploit mineral resources in Agugo Payam of Tonj South County.

Speaking to journalists at the NSS headquarters in Juba on Monday, the agency’s spokesperson, David Kumuri, rejected the claims in their entirety, saying the security service was compelled to respond because the allegations had gained significant public attention.

“The National Security Service press statement seeks to disassociate the Director General of the Internal Security Bureau from the erroneous claims and allegations created by Watchdog Press about mine extortions in Agugo Payam, Tonj South County in Warrap State,” Kumuri said.

He accused the publication of disseminating false and unsubstantiated information intended to damage the reputation of the officials named and undermine the credibility of the Internal Security Bureau.

“As a matter of obligation and clarity, it is worth noting that the National Security Service, Internal Security Bureau, condemns in the strongest terms possible the posts as they are false, unsubstantiated, propagandist and a conspiracy campaign aimed at tarnishing the image of the Director General of Internal Security Bureau, General Akech Tong Aleu, Hon. Adut Salva Kiir and those mentioned, as well as discrediting the image of the Internal Security Bureau,” he said.

Kumuri also dismissed suggestions that the National Security Service is involved in mining activities, stressing that the agency’s mandate is strictly defined under the National Security Act.

“The National Security Service officials perform their duties under the jurisdiction of the National Security Act 2014 as amended in 2024, and the National Security Service informs the public that mining is not part of our mandate as the National Security Service or the security sector,” he said.

He added that any assignment undertaken by the Director General outside his official duties could only be authorized through a Republican Order issued by President Salva Kiir.

The NSS further denied claims that Gen. Akech had met chiefs or community leaders from Tonj South County to discuss mining operations or sign any agreement related to mineral extraction.

“The Director General of the Internal Security Bureau has not in any way met or discussed with community leaders or chiefs of Tonj anything to do either with the MOU signing or mining or any other claims made by that media,” Kumuri said.

The agency also warned that it would pursue legal action against those responsible for publishing what it described as false and defamatory information.

According to Kumuri, investigators and technology experts have already launched digital forensic investigations to identify individuals behind the online posts.

“Experts and technologists are presently exploring technological forensic services to unearth individuals and groups behind posts of similar nature and once caught, shall be apprehended,” he said.

“The ISB will definitely arrest them, investigate them thoroughly and arraign them before the court for the law to take its course.”

He said the investigations would be conducted under South Sudan’s recently enacted Cyber and Computer Misuse legislation, which empowers authorities to investigate and prosecute offences involving false or malicious online content.

Kumuri urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information and instead promote constructive public discourse.

“So, in conclusion, this is a false allegation against the Director General and Adut Salva Kiir about the mine extortion. This is completely a false allegation,” he said.

The allegations originated from Watchdog Press and subsequently spread across social media platforms.