Who is this man? Is he Jamal Wani as claimed?

Author: Woja Emmanuel

The man whose picture went viral on social media alleged to be South Sudan’s former Central Bank governor, mourning the death of Chadian President is a Juba-based Sudanese businessman, according to 211 Check findings. 

On Tuesday this week, South Sudan’s unity government delegation headed by the Presidential Adviser on National Security Affairs Tut Gatluak, Minister of Investment Dhieu Mathok, and the former Minister in the Office of the President Mayiik Ayii Deng, including some senior government officials traveled to Chad to pay tribute to the Late Chadian President Idris Deby.

Among the team was one gentleman many South Sudanese netizens described as a “hired mourner”, regarding his reaction upon reception in N’Djamena. 

His identity has caused controversy online with many users claiming he is a South Sudanese. Others claimed that he is Jamal Wani, South Sudan former Central Bank Governor. 

In a tweet on April 28, it was also claimed that the man “in black-grey top” in the below picture is Jamal Wani. Separate Facebook posts by a regular citizen reporters also made the same claims.

But, what is the truth?

When fact-checked, the man is identified as Elshazeli Abdelmajid, a Sudanese from Zaghawa. 

Abdelmajid is a Juba-based Sudanese businessman, who was part of the delegation to Chad headed by Tut Gatluak to deliver President Kiir’s Condolence Message on the passing of Idris Deby Itno. Reliable sources contacted by 211 Check alleged he is Tut Gatluak’s close friend.

Additional findings say the late former Chadian President, Idris Deby is Zaghawa by tribe and the guy [Elshazeli Abdelmajid] who accompanied the delegation is said to be related to the late based on ethnicity.

The Zaghawa people are an ethnic group of eastern Chad and western Sudan, including Darfur.

#FactsMatter, Don’t fall victim to fake news; let’s fight the spread of misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media.

To know about our fact-checking process, check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you immediate feedback.