In a statement issued on Wednesday, Napoleon Adok Gai, Director-General of the NCA, explained that the decision follows the widespread circulation of graphic videos depicting violent attacks on South Sudanese refugees in Wad Madani, a city in neighboring Sudan.
The National Communication Authority (NCA) of the Republic of South Sudan has directed all network providers to block access to social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, for a period of 90 days.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Napoleon Adok Gai, Director-General of the NCA, explained that the decision follows the widespread circulation of graphic videos depicting violent attacks on South Sudanese refugees in Wad Madani, a city in neighboring Sudan.
These videos, which reportedly show the deaths of women and children, have caused public outrage, mental health concerns, and a perceived threat to national security.
Gai said that the circulation of such graphic and harmful content has disrupted public order and exposed our population to extreme psychological trauma.
The ban, according to the NCA, aims to curb the dissemination of content that violates national laws and disturbs social harmony.
The South Sudanese government alleges that social media has been weaponized to amplify violence and exacerbate tensions.
The statement reads, "The Authority herein invokes the provisions of section 9(g) (f) and 34(6) of the National Communication Act, 2012. By this order the Authority directs all Internet Service providers to block access to all social media accounts effective from the midnight (00:00Hrs) of the 22nd January, 2025, for a maximum of (90) days.
"This is culminating from the recent upheaval in Sudan, that has exposed the South Sudanese population to unprecedented levels of extreme violence through social media posts.”
According to Gai, “South Sudanese refugees in We'd Medani, located in the neighbouring Republic of Sudan, were subjected to violent attacks resulting in the deaths of Women and Children, subsequently captured in videos and shared on social media without any regards.”
"We formally request the blockage of these social media sites for a minimum of 30 days. This directive may be lifted as soon as the situation is contained.
"The contents depicted violate our local laws and pose a significant threat to public safety and mental health, especially the vulnerable groups," Gai added.
Meanwhile, the management of MTN and Zain promptly complied with the directive, assuring that all other services provided by both networks in South Sudan continue to operate smoothly.