Why South Sudan Ordered Social Media To Be Shut Down

The South Sudan government, through the National Communication Authority, has ordered all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country to restrict nationwide access to all social media platforms starting at midnight, January 22, 2025, for at least 30 days.

According to the authority, the order follows recent violence in Sudan, which, according to the statement, is being propagated through social media posts.

“South Sudanese refugees in We’d Medani, located in the neighbouring Republic of Sudan, were subjected to violent attacks resulting in the deaths of women and children, subsequently captured in videos and sahred on social media without any regard,” part of the statement reads.

The authority says while the order will run for an initial period of 30 days, it could go for a maximum of 90 days. They also say that the directive could be lifted as soon as the situation is contained.

Authorities claim the suspension was implemented to prevent the spread of graphic videos portraying the massacre of South Sudanese nationals, including women and children, purportedly by Sudanese Armed Forces in Wad Madani.

South Sudan has seen massive violent protests and retaliation assaults against Sudanese citizens and businesses in the capital, Juba, and other regions of the country.

To address the problem, the government declared a dusk-to-dawn national curfew until further notice on January 18, and then ordered the shutdown of social media.

Customers of mobile operators MTN South Sudan and Zain will be unable to access Facebook, TikTok, and other services for up to 90 days, according to announcements released on Wednesday.

Last week, riots erupted in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, and elsewhere, killing at least 16 Sudanese people.

In revenge for what they thought to be the involvement of Sudan’s military and affiliated groups in the deaths in El Gezira, youths robbed and vandalised stores owned by Sudanese nationals, as well as burning several homes, police reported.