Journalists detained over embarrassing leak for president

South Sudan’s Salva Kiir apparently lost control of his bladder during a road-commissioning event in December

Six journalists have been detained in South Sudan over the circulation of a video purportedly showing President Salva Kiir urinating in his pants, the Committee to Protect Journalists has stated. The video, which went viral online, triggered debate about the 71-year-old leader’s health.

Filmed at the commissioning of a road project last month, the video shows Kiir standing for the national anthem with the aid of a cane, as a dark stain spreads down the inside of his trouser leg. As Kiir looks down and notices the puddle forming around his feet, the camera pans away.