South Sudan has suspended access to social media for 30 days due to videos of killings in Sudan, leading to riots. The suspension aims to prevent further violence, following incidents where Sudanese nationals were targeted amid retaliatory attacks. Mobile operators confirmed their compliance, potentially blocking access for up to 90 days.
South Sudan’s government has suspended access to social media platforms for an initial period of 30 days, effective from midnight on Wednesday. This decision arises in response to videos that have surfaced, allegedly depicting the killings of South Sudanese individuals in Sudan’s El Gezira state, which have sparked violent protests and retaliatory acts. Napolepon Adok, Director General of the National Communications Authority, communicated this directive to internet service providers in a letter seen by Reuters.
Mobile service providers MTN South Sudan and Zain have confirmed that their customers will be unable to access social media sites, including Facebook and TikTok, for up to 90 days, as stated in their respective announcements. The social media block aims to mitigate the influence of what has been termed “unprecedented levels of extreme violence” against the South Sudanese populace, as highlighted by Adok.
The unrest in South Sudan led to the deaths of at least 16 Sudanese nationals last week, amidst riots which broke out in the capital, Juba, and other cities. In response, local youths engaged in looting and vandalism targeting businesses owned by Sudanese nationals, as well as homes, under the belief that the Sudanese military was implicated in the violence occurring in El Gezira. The Sudanese army has characterized these events as “individual violations.”
The suspension of social media accesses correlates with the rising tensions between South Sudan and Sudan following violent incidents in El Gezira, leading to retaliatory violence against Sudanese residents in South Sudan. As communication methods have shifted in contemporary contexts, social media has sometimes fueled unrest by enabling rapid dissemination of potentially inflammatory information. Previous instances of social media restrictions indicate that governments may implement such measures in times of crisis to prevent further escalations.
In summary, the South Sudanese government’s decision to suspend social media platforms is a direct response to violence that has emerged due to disturbing videos related to killings in Sudan. With significant unrest resulting in loss of life and increased hostility towards Sudanese nationals, authorities aim to control the flow of information that could provoke further violence.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
