South Sudan has suspended social media platforms for at least 30 days following videos of alleged killings of its citizens in Sudan, which led to riots and attacks against Sudanese nationals. The country’s National Communications Authority announced the action as a protective measure against further violence. The unrest resulted in at least 16 Sudanese deaths, with local youths retaliating against Sudanese-owned businesses. The Sudanese army has condemned the violence as individual actions.
South Sudanese authorities have instituted a suspension of social media access for a minimum period of 30 days. This action follows the emergence of videos allegedly showing the killings of South Sudanese individuals in Sudan’s El Gezira state, which incited riots and violent retaliations within the country. The suspension is set to take effect at midnight on Wednesday, as indicated in a letter from Napolepon Adok, the Director General of the National Communications Authority, to the country’s internet service providers.
In a statement, Mr. Adok explained that this decision follows recent violence in Sudan, which has exposed the citizens of South Sudan to alarming degrees of brutality exhibited through social media. Major mobile operators, including MTN South Sudan and Zain, have confirmed that their customers will be unable to access popular platforms such as Facebook and TikTok for up to 90 days.
Last week, the unrest in Juba resulted in the deaths of at least 16 Sudanese nationals. Violence erupted in various cities across South Sudan, where local youths resorted to looting properties owned by Sudanese citizens and causing damage to several homes. This was perceived as a response to allegations regarding the involvement of the Sudanese military and its allied groups in the incidents occurring in El Gezira.
The Sudanese army has issued a statement denouncing what it describes as “individual violations” in El Gezira, seeking to clarify its position amidst the escalating tensions. The broader implications of these events reflect ongoing instability and highlight the potent influence of social media in exacerbating conflicts within the region.
This article discusses the recent suspension of social media platforms by South Sudanese authorities as a reaction to unrest triggered by violent videos from Sudan. The context of this issue involves ongoing tensions between South Sudan and Sudan, underscored by social media’s role in spreading information that can incite public reactions. The measures taken aim to mitigate further violence and civil disorder resulting from these incidents. The violence in El Gezira has revealed underlying social and political tensions that escalate quickly when provoked by incidents of violence, particularly those with regional implications affecting multiple nationalities. The response from both South Sudan and Sudan reflects a complex interplay of local and national dynamics amid longstanding animosities between the two nations.
The South Sudanese government’s suspension of social media aims to curb violence inspired by disturbing footage from Sudan, resulting in riots and attacks against Sudanese nationals. This action underscores the intricate relationship between media, public sentiment, and violence within the region. The situation exemplifies the need for careful management of social media influence amid turbulent political climates, as well as ongoing challenges related to governance and security in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
