South Sudanese authorities have imposed a 30-day ban on social media access following unrest sparked by videos showing the alleged killings of South Sudanese citizens in Sudan’s El Gezira state. The videos incited riots and deadly retaliatory attacks in South Sudan.
The suspension, announced by Napoleon Adok, Director General of the National Communications Authority, is set to take effect at midnight on Wednesday.
In a letter to internet service providers, Adok cited the recent violence in Sudan, which has exposed South Sudanese citizens to graphic and extreme content on social media.
The letter emphasized the need to curb the spread of such material.
Mobile operators MTN South Sudan and Zain confirmed the block, stating that their customers would be unable to access platforms like Facebook and TikTok for up to 90 days.
The decision comes after at least 16 Sudanese nationals were killed last week during riots in Juba and other parts of South Sudan.
According to police reports, youths in several cities targeted Sudanese-owned businesses, looting shops, vandalizing property, and setting homes ablaze.
The attacks were allegedly in retaliation for the perceived involvement of Sudan’s military and allied groups in the El Gezira killings. The Sudanese army has denounced the incidents in El Gezira as “individual violations.”
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