FACT-CHECK: Civil society activist Edmund Yakani not arrested in Juba

A viral claim circulating on social media alleging thatSouth Sudanese human rights activist Edmund Yakani has been arrested in Juba is false.

The claim, which was first shared by a Facebook user, Anthony Karlo, was posted on the 11th of April, and it attracted 166 reactions, 60 comments and 16 shares. 

Some publications that shared the same story are as seen here and here.

“Civil society leader Edmond Yakani has been arrested in Juba by security apparatus over alleged reckless remarks after issuing a security update on behalf of the SSPDF,” reads the Facebook post in part. 

Debunking the Claim:

A quick Google keyword search for ‘Is Edmond Yakani arrested in Juba in 2026?‘ showed results that refuted the claim. 

In an official statement issued on the same 11 of April 2026, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), where Yakani serves as executive director, dismissed the reports of his arrest as entirely untrue.

Eye Radio, the station where he was hosted earlier on that day, and he commented about the shooting that happened in Juba, also released a statement refuting the claim as false.

The misinformation appears to have stemmed from confusion surrounding a separate security incident in Juba involving gunfire near the Customs roundabout. In response, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) urged the public to remain calm while authorities investigate the incident.

“Remain calm!! … authorities ascertain circumstances under which gunshots rang out at the Customs roundabouts,” said SSPDF spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang in a public statement. 

Other sources that refuted the claim as false are seen here, here, here, and here.

Our Verdict:

The ClarityDesk finds the claim making rounds that civil society activist Edmond Yakani was arrested after a radio interview, where he commented about a shooting in Juba to be false. He has dismissed news of his arrest as untrue.

This article is published by The ClarityDesk through the Young Journalists Media Integrity Fellowship, with the support of the Election Civic Tech Fund of AfricTivistes, within the AHEAD Africa and Digitalise Youth projects, led by the Digital Democracy Initiative.

Have you spotted an error in this article and would like to request a correction, or have you come across a claim that we should investigate? Please send us an email via editor@claritydesk.org or click here to WhatsApp us via +211 928 606 958.

About The ClarityDesk

The ClarityDesk is a media integrity project based in South Sudan dedicated to promoting truth, transparency, and accountability. Working at the intersection of fact-checking, solutions and data journalism, we verify claims, debunk misinformation, and equip the public with tools to critically evaluate information. Our work is guided by accuracy, independence, and the public interest..