The Office of the President has dispelled rumors that President Salva Kiir Mayardit is dead.

Media reports suggested that President Kiir died on Tuesday after a short illness.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny describes the news as “another wishful thinking”.

“President Salva Kiir is healthy and is going about is duties normally,” partly read the statement.

“He was in his Office today until 3:00 pm and had no any complaint about his health. On hearing those rumors, I went to his house just to find him reading in his home library.”

Mr Ateny appealed to the general public to remain calm.

“I’d like to inform our citizens to ignore such rumors mongering and remain focused on their normal duties.”

Meanwhile, Information Minister Michael Makuei told reporters this morning that the President is “not sick”, let alone “dead”.