South Sudanese authorities have recently taken the decision to suspend access to various social media platforms for a minimum of 30 days. This action comes in response to videos circulating online that allegedly depict the killings of South Sudanese nationals in Sudan's El Gezira state. The dissemination of these videos has led to riots and deadly revenge attacks.
The suspension was officially announced by Napoleon Adok, the director general of the National Communications Authority, in a letter dated Wednesday to internet service providers. Adok cited the recent unrest in Sudan as the primary reason for the social media block, stating that the South Sudanese population has been exposed to unprecedented levels of extreme violence through social media posts.
Major mobile operators in South Sudan, including MTN South Sudan and Zain, have confirmed that customers will not be able to access platforms such as Facebook and TikTok for a maximum period of 90 days, as per statements issued on Wednesday.
Following the implementation of the social media block, a reporter in Juba noted the inability to access Facebook or TikTok. The violence stemming from the alleged killings in El Gezira has resulted in at least 16 Sudanese nationals losing their lives during riots in South Sudan's capital Juba and other parts of the country.
Youths in various cities engaged in looting and vandalism of shops owned by Sudanese nationals, as well as burning several homes. This was seen as a retaliatory response to what was perceived as the involvement of Sudan's military and allied groups in the El Gezira killings.
The Sudanese army has condemned the incidents in El Gezira, referring to them as 'individual violations.' The impact of the social media suspension has been significant, with individuals like Isaac Anthony Lumori, a popular South Sudanese musician and comedy show founder, expressing concern over the restriction. Lumori emphasized the importance of finding a peaceful resolution to the issue, suggesting engagement with the Sudanese government to prevent further loss of life.
