The authorities in South Sudan have banned the use of social media platforms for a maximum of 90 days.
Napoleon Adok Gai, the Director General of the National Communication Authority, stated that the decision was made following recent violent acts in Sudan “which exposed South Sudanese residents to unprecedented levels of brutal violence through social media posts.”
South Sudanese authorities ordered internet service providers in the country to block social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, for up to 90 days. The decision came after violent protests and retaliatory attacks resulting in fatalities, following the spread of video clips allegedly showing killings of South Sudanese citizens in Sudan’s Gezira state.At least 16 Sudanese were killed last week in riots that broke out in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, and other areas of the country. Juba witnessed protests on January 15 following reports of the killing of 29 South Sudanese citizens in Wad Madani in neighboring Sudan’s Gezira state, where a war is ongoing.
The protests turned into looting of shops owned by citizens from neighboring Sudan, and violence spread across the country the following day.Napoleon Adok Gai, in a letter addressed to internet service providers in the country, requested “blocking access to social media starting from midnight on January 22” for a maximum of 90 days.At least three telecommunications companies in South Sudan confirmed receiving this order.
Facebook access was not available on Wednesday evening.MTN, one of the largest telecommunications groups in South Sudan, said access to Facebook, TikTok, and related messaging applications has been suspended for up to 90 days. Zain and Digital groups issued similar statements.Following the violence in Juba, authorities imposed a night curfew while President Salva Kiir called for “restraint.” The Sudanese army denounced what it described as individual violations that occurred in Gezira state.Many Sudanese citizens reside in or have sought refuge in South Sudan.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 and has since suffered from instability.Sudan has been experiencing violent conflict since April 2023 between the army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemedti.”
