11/03/2026
Response to the Fabricated Allegations Against Eng. Dr. Chol Deng Thon by the So-Called Joseph Wani Modi Posted by SS64 News
The article circulating online and attributed to a so-called “senior petroleum engineer,” Eng. Joseph Wani Modi, is a fabricated and politically motivated attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Petroleum, Eng. Dr. Chol Deng Thon. The claims presented are misleading, unverified, and intended to misinform the public about the leadership and management of the petroleum sector in South Sudan.
1. The claim that Eng. Dr. Chol Deng Thon interfered in filling Petronas positions within the Joint Operating Companies (JOCs) is completely false. Appointments within JOCs are conducted according to the established frameworks and agreements under the Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA), as well as through coordination between the operating companies and NilePet. The Undersecretary’s role is administrative and policy-oriented within the Ministry of Petroleum, and he does not unilaterally appoint or replace personnel in partner companies.
2. The accusation that Dr. Chol has breached oil and gas standards or procurement procedures by awarding contracts to incompetent companies is entirely baseless. The Ministry follows strict procurement regulations and technical evaluation procedures to ensure transparency, compliance with national laws, and adherence to international industry standards. Any suggestion that contracts are awarded outside the legal framework is not supported by facts and is clearly part of a smear campaign.
3. The allegation that professional and skilled managers have been targeted and replaced with unqualified individuals is also false. Personnel seconded to the JOCs are selected based on qualifications, technical expertise, and the needs of the petroleum sector. The Ministry of Petroleum, under the leadership of the able Undersecretary Eng. Dr. Chol Deng Thon, continues to prioritize professionalism, capacity building, and institutional strengthening to improve productivity and operational stability across the oil industry.
Furthermore, the broader claim that the actions of Dr. Chol Deng Thon could cause the withdrawal of partners such as China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) from South Sudan’s oil sector is irresponsible and unfounded. South Sudan’s petroleum sector remains governed by binding agreements and long-standing partnerships with international companies that operate within clearly defined legal and operational frameworks.
It is also important to clarify that the individuals behind this false propaganda are hiding behind a fake platform calling itself SS64 News, falsely claiming to represent a senior petroleum engineer. These claims are not credible. Evidence indicates that this propaganda campaign is being promoted by individuals who previously abused their positions in the petroleum sector and are now attempting to undermine the current leadership of the Ministry.
In particular, the activities linked to the network of the former Vice President of GPOC, Saber Ojak Chol, and Deng Lual Wol—who is currently detained by security authorities for alleged involvement in the looting of oil revenues—both former officials associated with misconduct in the Ministry, suggest a deliberate attempt to destabilize and discredit the progress being made within the petroleum sector by Eng. SPLM loyal carder Eng. Dr. Chol Deng Thon.
The public is therefore urged to treat such fabricated reports with caution and to rely on verified information from official government channels. The leadership of the Ministry of Petroleum of South Sudan, under the guidance of the government and the President of the Republic, Salva Kiir Mayardit, remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the sustainable development of South Sudan’s vital oil industry.
Misinformation and politically motivated attacks will not derail the ongoing efforts to strengthen governance, professionalism, and stability within the petroleum sector of South Sudan.
Golden Star Media