South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Monday held a press briefing to quash speculation about his health after days of absence from public view.
Rumours about the fate of the president made the rounds since last week after Kiir failed to make his normally regular appearances on television.
Kiir’s appearance in Juba today brings an end to rumours that he is suffering from coronavirus and has been receiving medical attention in Egypt.
"I want to urge all of you to refocus your energies to the fight against coronavirus pandemic and leave futile politicking and helpless propaganda for now," Kiir told the public.
"The disease we are fighting does not differentiate whether this is a Muslim or Christian, Dinka or Acholi, SPLM or SPLM-IO and therefore this is the unforgiving monster in the room," the president added.
The South Sudanese leader denied reports that he had delegated Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi to act as the president until further notice.
"There has never been any reassignment of duties of the President. The Public should not delve into propaganda," Kiir said.
The president urged the public to remain cautious and observe health guidelines set out by the Ministry of Health in order to control the spread of the novel coronavirus.
"We now have over 600 active cases of COVID-19 and if we are not careful enough, then such numbers will shoot up and we will be in very deplorable state as country to contain it," he said.
He added ,"I am once again urging all the citizens specially those residing in densely populated areas like cities and towns to keenly observe the rules of social distancing, wearing of face masks and regular hand washing."