South Sudan has instructed internet providers to block access to social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, following violent protests in the capital, Juba.
The unrest, sparked by reports of the deaths of 29 South Sudanese in clashes in Sudan, escalated into looting of Sudanese-owned businesses.
In response, the National Communication Authority (NCA) directed internet firms to suspend social media access starting midnight on January 22, 2025, for a period of up to 90 days.
The NCA’s director-general, Napoleon Adok Gai, justified the move, citing the “unprecedented levels of extreme violence” depicted in videos shared on social media.
The violent protests, which saw police open fire on crowds, followed the deadly events in Sudan, where videos of attacks on South Sudanese citizens were widely circulated.
Gai expressed concerns over how such graphic content could impact public safety and mental health.
Telecommunication giants MTN South Sudan, Zain, and Digitel confirmed the suspension of Facebook, TikTok, and their associated messaging applications.
The government’s decision follows the declaration of a nighttime curfew and calls for calm from President Salva Kiir, though the curfew remains in effect as tensions subside.
South Sudan has faced political and economic instability since its independence in 2011.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in Sudan has driven many South Sudanese refugees back to their homeland.
