Juba, South Sudan – The South Sudanese government has ordered a three-month suspension of social media access, citing concerns over the dissemination of graphic content related to the ongoing violence against South Sudanese citizens in neighboring Sudan.
The National Communication Authority (NCA) issued directives to all internet service providers and telecom operators to block access to all social media platforms, effective immediately.
This decision follows the tragic events in Wad Madani, Sudan, where South Sudanese refugees were targeted in violent attacks, resulting in the deaths of women and children. Graphic videos of these attacks were widely shared on social media platforms, sparking outrage and leading to violent riots in several parts of South Sudan.
The NCA stated that the suspension of social media access is necessary to prevent the further spread of disturbing and potentially inflammatory content.
“This suspension of the social media sites will affect my business very badly,” said Yar Mary, an online business owner, highlighting the negative impact of the ban on businesses and individuals reliant on social media for communication.
While the government aims to mitigate the impact of these graphic images and prevent further unrest, the social media ban has drawn criticism from some citizens who view it as a violation of their rights.
