President Salva Kiir is healthy in Juba, the presidential spokesman said amid allegations that Kiir "is in hospital in Egypt after being diagnosed with COVID-19".

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj this morning, presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny described the reports as lies and negative propaganda.

 "The president is very healthy and doing his work normally. I want to assure the public that the president is in Juba and healthy," Ateny said.

According to Ateny, President Kiir will appearance on Tuesday to refute rumors of his illness.

"The president will appear tomorrow because he is scheduled to meet Muslim community leaders in Juba. So I can confirm that the president will appear," Ateny said.

Separately, Ateny dismissed as fake a letter shared on social media claiming that the president has delegated Vice-President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol to act as the country’s president until further notice.

"The letter is fake and it illogical. If the president wants to delegate his powers, he cannot choose Hussein Abdelbagi from the opposition South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA). Also, the letter doesn’t have the seal of the republic and reference number," Ateny said.

President Salva Kiir doubles as leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

The 2018 peace deal says in the event that the post of the President falls vacant, for any reasons, the replacement shall be nominated by the top leadership of the respective party as at the signing of the agreement.