South Sudan has ordered telecommunication companies to block access to social media for up to three months due to concerns over the dissemination of graphic content related to ongoing violence against South Sudanese in neighboring Sudan.
The National Communication Authority (NCA) ordered all internet service providers and telecom operators to block access to all social media accounts, effective from midnight.
The ban is necessary to prevent the spread of violent content, particularly videos depicting brutal attacks on women and children.
The blockage will last for a minimum of 30 days and may be lifted as soon as the situation is contained. However, some South Sudanese view the move as a violation of citizens’ rights.
Telecom operators in South Sudan, including MTN, Zain, and Digital, informed their subscribers that access to social media services through their internet connections has been suspended, following the directive from the NCA. However, the drastic decision by the telecom industry regulator has been roundly condemned by some South Sudanese, who viewed the move as a violation of citizens’ rights. Yar Mary, an online business owner, said the social media ban will affect communications between her and her clients.
“This suspension of the social media sites will affect my business very badly, most communications with my clients are through social media, especially WhatsApp, and therefore if this ban continues, my business will collapse,” she said.
