On Wednesday, the South Sudan’s government ordered all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country to block access to social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook for three months.
The National Communication Authority (NCA) explained that the decision was made to prevent exposure to videos and posts exposing the scale of violence against refugees
Last week, a viral video circulated in social media revealing alleged Sudanese soldiers attacking refugees in Wad Madani, Gezira state.
South Sudan’s internet penetration stood at 12.1 percent in early 2024, with more than 700, 000 social media users, according to a report by DataReportal.
“We formally request the blockage of these media sites for a minimum of 30 days. This directive may be lifted as soon as the situation is contained,” said the statement from the NCA signed by the Director General, Napoleon Adok. The regulator said that posting the gory video of women and children being murdered was contrary to the country’s local laws on public safety and mental health, prompting an immediate shutdown of certain social media channels.
The country’s telcos, MTN and Zain, confirmed that they complied with the directive. Both of them released statements informing the public that they had suspended the social media platforms.
