South Sudan bans social media for 30 days over violence in neighboring Sudan

South Sudanese authorities on Wednesday directed telecom companies to block access to social media platforms for at least 30 days, citing concerns over the spread of graphic content related to ongoing violence against South Sudan's citizens in neighbouring Sudan.

The ban, which could be extended for up to 90 days, is set to take effect at midnight on Thursday.

The National Communication Authority (NCA) officials emphasised in a directive that the measure was necessary to protect the public.

The NCA stated, "We may lift this directive as soon as we contain the situation."

"The contents depicted violate our local laws and pose a significant threat to public safety and mental health."

The decision comes after widespread anger in South Sudan over footage purportedly showing killings of South Sudanese nationals by militia groups in Sudan's Gezira state.

In response to retaliatory violence, including looting of shops owned by Sudanese traders, South Sudanese authorities imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on January 17.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, condemned "the brutal killings of South Sudanese nationals" in Sudan and called for restraint.

Sudan has been mired in civil war since April 2023, when fighting erupted between rival military factions in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions.

The conflict has triggered a massive humanitarian crisis, marked by atrocities such as ethnically motivated killings and sexual violence, according to reports from the United Nations and human rights organisations.

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