Social Media Blackout: South Sudan Blocks Access to Facebook and Tiktok Amidst Rising Violence
The National Communication Authority of South Sudan has ordered all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to all social media sites within the country’s territory, effective midnight January 22nd, 2025. The directive, which is set to last for a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 90 days, aims to curb the spread of violent and disturbing content that has been flooding social media platforms.
The decision comes in response to the recent surge in violence in neighboring Sudan, which has had a devastating impact on South Sudanese refugees. A recent attack on refugees in We’d Medani, located in the Republic of Sudan, resulted in the deaths of women and children, with graphic videos of the incident being shared on social media without restraint.
According to the National Communication Authority, the blockage is necessary to protect the public from the harmful effects of such content, which violates local laws and poses a significant threat to public safety and mental health, particularly for vulnerable groups.
The authority has invoked sections 9(g)(f) and 34(6) of the National Communication Act, 2012, to justify the directive, which applies to all ISPs operating in South Sudan. The blockage may be lifted once the situation is deemed to be under control.
The move has raised concerns among citizens and human rights groups, who argue that such drastic measures could infringe on freedom of expression and access to information. However, the authorities maintain that the decision is necessary to safeguard the well-being of the South Sudanese population.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), commended the timely intervention by the media authority, emphasizing the importance of responsible digital communication in promoting peace. “We welcome these directives,” Yakani stated. “It is a positive response to our previous advocacy that both South Sudanese and Sudanese in South Sudan should abstain from using social media to perpetuate human rights violations or to promote violence.”
The directive specifically calls on social media users within the affected communities to exercise caution and respect in their online interactions. Yakani reassured the public that CEPO will actively monitor social media for any instances of incitement and report such cases to the media authority, advocating for accountability under the law.
