South Sudan Lifts Social Media Ban

South Sudan government on Monday lifted a ban on social media platforms Facebook and TikTok, a week after it was imposed by a regulatory authority in hope to curb the spread of inflammatory content following violent protests.

Last week, protests sparked by gruesome videos of killings in Sudan’s Al Jazira state erupted in Juba and quickly spread across South Sudan, leading to the deaths of 16 Sudanese nationals, mostly businessmen, and the looting of businesses. In response, the government blocked access to Facebook and TikTok.

In a directive to internet providers, the National Communications Authority (NCA) lifted the ban on social media platforms, effective from midnight, stating that the primary objective for which it was imposed had been achieved.

“Following our directives issued on Wednesday, January 22^nd, 2025, regarding the blockage of Facebook and TikTok in the Republic of South Sudan, we are pleased to report that the primary objective of removing graphic and inflammatory content has been successfully achieved,” he said.

“As a result of this achievement, the NCA hereby announces the lifting of the blockage of Facebook and TikTok, effective today at 00:00 hours, January 27^th, 2025,” said NCA Director General Napoleon Adok Gai in the document addressed to Internet providers.

He appreciated the cooperation of internet providers in helping the Authority fulfill its mandate.

“In conjunction with this decision, we urge all our licensees with cache servers of Facebook and Tik Tok being hosted in South Sudan to actively participate in monitoring these social media platforms and to assist in reporting inflammatory and graphic content that should be pulled down by the social media platform operators (Meta and Tik Tok),” he said.

Gai said the rise of violence linked to social media content in South Sudan underscores the need for a balanced approach that addresses the root causes of online incitement while protecting the rights of the population.

“By lifting of this blockage of Facebook and TikTok operations, they wish to foster a safer digital environment and promote peace and stability the country. The authority will be reaching out for consolidated approach to avoid shutdowns,” he added.

Local mobile operators, including Zain, MTN, and Gemtel, confirmed they had received the government directive and had lifted the block, which had drawn strong criticism from local and international rights groups.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in a statement yesterday called on the government authorities to reverse the social media ban and ensure that the public has open and reliable internet access, saying social media was essential for news gathering amid unrest in the country.

“Blocking social media access is a blanket act of censorship and a disproportionate response to unrest that makes it difficult for journalists to do their jobs and robs the public of the diverse sources of news. South Sudanese authorities should immediately lift this social media suspension,” the press release quoted the CPJ Africa Program Coordinator, Muthoki Mumo, as saying.