JUBA – A photo of Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel donning a black T-shirt branded ‘Gum Chok Youth Association’ is currently trending on social media. But the photo is fake, according to the vice president’s office.
Gum Chok is a Dinka phrase which literally translates to ‘hunger perseverance’. The origin of the association is shrouded in mystery, but it has become a forum for South Sudanese youths to poke fun and console themselves on their hardships.
Prominent musicians Silver X and Macco Bwoy have also promoted the illusive association online.
“It has come to the attention of this Office that a fake image of Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel is circulating on social media,” Bol’s office said in a statement.
“For clarity, the attached collage presents the authentic image alongside the altered version. We urge the public to note the distinction and disregard any misleading content.”
The statement pointed out that doctoring official photographs is a violation of the law and urged South Sudanese to focus on “the greater task of nation-building – not on the false narratives that seek to divide us and distract us from progress.”
