7th February 2025
Make a Donation

Human Rights Watch concerned about South Sudan’s social media ban

Author: Obaj Okuj | Published: January 23, 2025

Nyagoah Tut Pur, researcher at Human Rights Watch.

Human Rights Watch has criticized the South Sudan government’s decision to suspend social media platforms, describing it as a significant step toward suppressing dissent and controlling public discourse.

On Wednesday, the National Communication Authority (NCA) imposed a 90-day maximum ban on social media sites including Facebook and Tiktok over alleged misuse of the online space.

The communication regulator said the directive was prompted by the circulation of violent contents and sentiments as a result of the incident in Sudan’s Wad Madani.

Nyagoah Tut Pur, Africa Researcher at Human Rights Watch, expressed concern over the shutdown, stating that it suppresses free expression and denies citizens a crucial platform for accessing information.

In statement extended to Eye Radio on Thursday, Nyagoah called on the government to immediately lift the social media ban.

She stated that the government must ensure that any measures addressing insecurity and national security are transparent, proportionate, and consistent with international human rights law

“This ban on social media that the NCA has announced is quite far-reaching. We believe that it is a blatant attempt to silence critics and stifle dissent and we believe it is a disproportionate and unjustified restriction on freedom of expression and access to information,” she said.

“We believe that the government has other options to try and curb what it is referring to as hatred and misinformation and definitely to ensure that all lives and property in South Sudan, regardless of who they belong to, are protected.”

She said the government can use other means to ensure that both Sudanese refugees and citizens are protected – including trying to preventing protests, arresting and detaining people that attempted to protest.

– Parliament uninformed –

Meanwhile, the parliament’s First Deputy Speaker said the assembly’s committees will summon the National Minister of Information and the Director General of National Communication Authority to explain the recent ban on social media platforms.

Hon. Nathaniel Oyet disclosed that the legislature was not consulted on the government’s decision to impose a three-month suspension on social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok.

Mr. Oyet emphasized that while the executive has the mandate to initiate and implement policies, such actions must align with the country’s constitutional framework, particularly the Bill of Rights.

He said the ban is unjustifiable although the NCA attributed the decision to the circulation of graphic content and misinformation related to atrocities in Sudan.

Hon. Oyet argued that social media platforms have been vital in exposing such incidents and ensuring timely access to information.

“After the steps taken by the executive through the Communication Authority, we are going to summon the Minister of Information and also the authority (NCA),” he said in an interview with Eye Radio.

“They will come and give accounts of why they shut down social media, the rationale, and whether this is not going to affect the revenue collection, whether this is not going to affect the flow of information that we get from the Sudan, and whether the Bill of Rights is not infringed.”

 

Support Eye Radio, the first independent radio broadcaster of news, information & entertainment in South Sudan.

Make a monthly or a one off contribution.

Breaking News

South Sudan declares Mpox outbreak

Read more...
Share