Joseph Isangura
The South Sudanese government has ordered a temporary shutdown of social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, in a bid to quell rising tensions and violence fueled by graphic content shared online.
The directive, issued by the National Communication Authority (NCA) on Wednesday, instructed internet providers to block access to social media for at least 30 days. The move comes after a disturbing video went viral, showing South Sudanese refugees being attacked in Sudan’s El Gezira state. The footage, allegedly depicting brutal violence by Sudanese soldiers, triggered outrage and retaliatory attacks within South Sudan.
“This decision stems from the recent upheaval in Sudan that has exposed our population to extreme violence through social media posts,” said Napoleon Adok, the NCA’s Director General, in a statement. He emphasized that the shared content, showing the deaths of women and children, violated local laws and posed serious threats to public safety and mental health.
The shutdown, which began Wednesday night, is enforceable under provisions of the National Communication Act of 2012. While the initial directive is for one month, authorities warned the ban could be extended up to 90 days if tensions persist.
Telecommunications providers, including major operators like MTN South Sudan and Zain, have already implemented the block, notifying their users of the restrictions. The government argued that the step was necessary to prevent further violence, with Adok saying, “The content circulating online threatens our nation’s fragile stability and endangers vulnerable groups.”
The viral video sparked immediate unrest in South Sudan, where retaliatory attacks targeted Sudanese nationals. In several cities, businesses owned by Sudanese were looted, homes were set ablaze, and at least 16 people were reported dead. In response, the government imposed a curfew last week, seeking to restore order.
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The violence has drawn international condemnation. The African Union called for calm and urged authorities in both South Sudan and Sudan to investigate the incidents thoroughly. Sudan’s military has distanced itself from the attacks, calling the events in El Gezira “isolated violations.”
However, the social media shutdown has raised concerns among human rights organizations and free speech advocates. Critics argue that while the government may be acting to protect public safety, the decision risks setting a precedent for censorship and suppressing freedom of expression.
For now, the government maintains the measure is temporary and necessary to contain the situation. Authorities have pledged to lift the restrictions if peace is restored and the spread of inflammatory content is halted.
South Sudan, still recovering from years of civil war, faces ongoing challenges to its stability. The recent violence serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between maintaining order and protecting democratic freedoms in the region.
