‪South Sudan Shuts Down Social Media For Three Months‬

South Sudanese authorities on Wednesday ordered telecoms to block access to social media for at least 30 days, citing concerns over the dissemination of graphic content relating to the ongoing violence against South Sudanese in neighboring Sudan.

The temporary ban, which could be extended to up to 90 days, will come into force at midnight Thursday, according to a directive from the National Communication Authority, NCA, to telecom companies stressing that the measure was necessary to protect the public.

“This directive may be lifted as soon as the situation is contained,” the NCA said. “The contents depicted violate our local laws and pose a significant threat to public safety and mental health.”

However, the decision has sparked widespread concern among social media users and civil society activists in South Sudan, with many viewing the move as a violation of citizens’ rights.

Ter Manyang, a prominent civil society activist, criticized the government for “infringing upon the freedom and rights guaranteed under Articles 24 and 25 of South Sudan’s transitional constitution.”

“MTN and Zain, the telecommunications companies operating in South Sudan, have received directives from the NCA to suspend and restrict access to Facebook and TikTok for 90 days. This action represents a violation of citizens’ rights,” Manyang said.

He also warned that the move could tarnish the image of the current administration and called for unity among South Sudanese citizens.

“I urge all South Sudanese to unite against the current administration and any potential future leaders who seek to limit their rights to access social media,” Manyang added.

Edmund Yakani, another well-known civil society activist, also criticized the ban, describing it as unacceptable. He suggested that the NCA should have focused on blocking individual accounts responsible for spreading hate speech, misinformation, and violent content, rather than imposing a blanket ban on entire platforms.

“The South Sudan National Communication Authority should have directed telecommunication companies to block specific social media accounts promoting hostility, disinformation, or inhumane content, rather than shutting down Facebook and TikTok entirely,” Yakani said.

He further emphasized the negative impact the shutdown could have on individuals who rely on social media for work and business. “Blocking or banning these platforms for 90 days will have serious consequences for those who earn a living online,” he said. “The NCA should reconsider this decision and explore more targeted measures to address the issue.”

Yakani concluded by urging the NCA to review its approach and focus on restricting individual accounts responsible for human rights violations or promoting violence, rather than punishing the South Sudanese population.

Many South Sudanese have been angered by footage from Sudan that purports to show killings by militia groups of South Sudanese in Gezira state. South Sudanese authorities imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Jan. 17 after a night of retaliatory violence during which shops owned by Sudanese traders were looted.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, condemned “the brutal killings of South Sudanese nationals” in Sudan and urged restraint.

Civil war in Sudan has created a widening famine and the world’s largest displacement crisis. Fighting between forces loyal to rival military leaders exploded in the capital, Khartoum, in April 2023 and has since spread to other areas.

The conflict has been marked by atrocities, including ethnically motivated killing and rape, according to the U.N. and rights groups.