South Sudan Blocks Social Media Amid Sudan Protest Violence

Supporters of the Umma Party, Sudan's largest political party, chant slogans during a protest against a military coup that overthrew the transition to civilian rule, on October 29, 2021 in the capital Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman. - Furious Sudanese anti-coup protesters vowed to press ahead with a campaign of civil disobedience, following deadly clashes with security forces during demonstrations against a widely condemned military takeover. (Photo by Ebrahim HAMID / AFP)

South Sudan has ordered internet providers to block social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, following violent protests triggered by reports of citizen deaths in neighboring Sudan.

The demonstrations erupted last week in the capital, Juba, after reports emerged that 29 South Sudanese were killed in clashes in Sudan. The protests quickly turned violent, with crowds looting Sudanese-owned businesses. Security forces fired on protesters to disperse them and detained hundreds of alleged looters.

In a letter addressed to internet providers, the National Communication Authority (NCA) instructed the suspension of social media platforms starting at midnight on January 22, 2025, for up to 90 days. The directive was confirmed by three major telecom companies in South Sudan, including MTN, Zain, and Digitel, although AFP reporters noted that Facebook was still accessible as of late Wednesday.

Napoleon Adok Gai, the NCA’s director general, said the decision aimed to curb the spread of violent content on social media, which he claimed exposed South Sudanese citizens to “extreme violence.” He noted that graphic content from the Sudanese clashes, including videos of attacks on women and children, had been widely shared online, violating local laws and posing a threat to public safety and mental health.

In its statement, MTN South Sudan announced the suspension of Facebook, TikTok, and related messaging apps for a maximum of 90 days. Zain and Digitel issued similar notices, confirming the government’s directive.

The move follows a nighttime curfew declared by President Salva Kiir, urging restraint among citizens. While the situation appeared calmer over the weekend, the curfew remains in effect.

South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has faced persistent economic and political challenges. The ongoing civil war in Sudan since 2023 has forced many South Sudanese refugees to return home. The United Nations estimates that most of the one million people who fled Sudan have been South Sudanese seeking refuge across the southern border.