Fact-check: Viral image of President Salva Kiir making an obscene gesture is digitally altered

Fact-check: Viral image of President Salva Kiir making an obscene gesture is digitally altered

*The image was altered from an official presidential photograph. *

Writer: Makur Majeng

A Facebook post (archived) circulating on social media claims to show South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit making an obscene gesture while posing for a photograph is fake and AI-generated.

The post, published by Facebook user Dr Okony Othow, carries the caption: “ F*** Dinka, no election without my brother Riek Machar.”

The image attracted 4600 reactions, 645 comments and 59 shares, with many users believing it depicts an actual photograph of the President.

The screenshot of the claim

What we found

Hot in Juba CheckDesk found that the image was digitally manipulated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Analysis of the image using AI or Not, an AI detection tool that examines images for signs of AI generation and manipulation, found that the image was likely 62% AI-generated and 15% deepfake.

Screenshot of the AI or Not analysis

The AI analysis supports the improbability of such an incident further indicating that the viral image is not an authentic photograph.

A follow-up Google reverse image search traced the original photograph to a post published by the Office of the President – Republic of South Sudan on 9 July 2026. The authentic image shows President Salva Kiir waving with an open hand during a public event, not raising his middle finger.

A visual comparison of the two images shows that the background, clothing, tie, hat, flag, and other details are identical. The only noticeable difference is that the President’s raised hand has been digitally altered to depict an offensive gesture.

Verdict

Hot in Juba CheckDesk examined the viral image claiming to show President Salva Kiir Mayardit making an obscene gesture and found it to be ALTERED.

The image was digitally altered from an official photograph published by the Office of the President. AI detection analysis further indicates that the image is likely AI-generated and includes deepfake characteristics, confirming that it is not an authentic photograph.

This fact-check was produced by Hot in Juba as part of the African Fact-Checking Alliance’s (AFCA) incubation programme. It was produced with peer-mentorship from Code for Africa’s fact-checking initiative, PesaCheck, with financial support from the* Digital Democracy Initiative** within the framework of the** Digitalise Youth project** led by the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD). AFCA mentorship respects the journalistic independence of the researchers, offering access to advanced techniques and tools. Editorial decision-making remains with Hot in Juba. Want to learn more? Visit:** https://factcheck.africa/*

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Fact-check: Viral image of President Salva Kiir making an obscene gesture is digitally altered

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