The Sudanese think tank Fikra for Studies and Development has issued a statement urging the international community to take immediate action to prevent the disruption of telecommunications services in Sudan. The statement warns that cutting off internet and phone access could have serious consequences for the security, human rights and health of the Sudanese people, especially amid the ongoing political crisis.
The statement issued by Fikra Organization for Studies and Development on Sunday urged the international community, especially the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, the UN agencies, and the governments of UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, USA, Kuwait and South Africa, as well as the African Union and IGAD, to exert their influence on the warring parties and demand them to spare the telecommunications sector from their military actions, as it is vital for the lives and safety of civilians. The organization also called for imposing various sanctions on those who cut off the telecommunications services to the Sudanese people.
Fikra Organization for Studies and Development consists of a distinguished group of Sudanese journalists, activists and academics.
The statement, obtained by Al-Yurae, warned of the dangers of a total communication blackout in Sudan at this time, as it would escalate the chances of war, and enable more crimes and violations against over 40 million Sudanese, more than a quarter of whom are forcibly displaced from their homes due to the horrors of war, with no access to any information about their situation and safety. The total communication shutdown has also hampered all efforts to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian aid, which is desperately needed by over 25 million Sudanese, according to United Nations statistics. The effect also reaches the electronic banking sector, which is the only economic exchange outlet left after the banking systems have been completely disrupted since the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023. These electronic banking services have been the only lifeline left for the Sudanese, the humanitarian emergency room response efforts and all humanitarian organizations working in relief across Sudan over the past ten months.
“The world and all governments of international actors should not remain silent about this worsening situation in Sudan”, adding that the situation in Sudan requires serious and urgent action to ensure the continuation of the last available means for the continuation of the lives of the Sudanese who face the dangers of war, famine, displacement and systematic violations that continue to be committed against them.” the statement said.
