South Sudan: A coalition of 334 human rights organizations urgently demand Gov’t to put an immediate end to the ongoing social media shutdowns
“#KeepItOn: authorities must restore access to social media in South Sudan and uphold human right”, 24 January 2024
#KeepItOn coalition — a global network of over 334 human rights organizations from 105 countries working to end internet shutdowns — urgently demand the government of South Sudan to put an immediate end to the ongoing social media shutdowns in the country. The shutdown is in gross violation of national and international human rights frameworks and must not be allowed to continue. On January 22, 2025, the National Communication Authority (NCA) directed all internet service providers to block access to social media for a maximum of 90 days in South Sudan. Authorities claim the shutdown was to prevent the circulation of graphic videos depicting the killing of South Sudanese nationals including women and children, allegedly by the Sudanese Armed Forces, in Wad Madani — a city in neighboring Sudan. There have been widespread violent protests in South Sudan and reprisal attacks against Sudanese people and businesses in the capital, Juba, and other parts of the country. In efforts to curb the situation, the government imposed a dusk-to-dawn nationwide curfew until further notice on January 18, and subsequently ordered the blocking of social media.
However, restricting access to critical digital platforms in times of crisis stifles not only free expression, but also access to healthcare and life-saving information. These platforms are not solely for social communications, they are lifelines in times of crisis — enabling the rapid dissemination of critical alerts about safety, shelter, and emergency services. Moreover, internet shutdowns impede the documentation of human rights abuses and enable perpetrators of such atrocities to evade accountability. Additionally, evidence shows that blocking access to vital communication platforms exacerbates harm and amplifies the spread of misinformation and disinformation. This is not the first time that authorities in South Sudan have restricted access to digital platforms. In 2021, authorities blocked access to Facebook and WhatsApp in response to protests spurred by economic hardship. Internet service providers (ISPs) in the country including MTN and Zain informed their subscribers about the government’s order and confirmed that they would begin blocking Facebook and TikTok from midnight of January 22, 2025.
Internet shutdowns contravene national and international legal frameworks. Article 24 of South Sudan’s constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression and access to information. International instruments to which South Sudan is a signatory, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights similarly make express provision for these rights. While these rights are not absolute, their limitations must be necessary and proportionate, as asserted by the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee in General Comment No.34. Blanket internet shutdowns are inherently disproportionate, as there are less restrictive alternatives available to moderate the dissemination of violent content on social media, in accordance with human rights standards. International instruments have further pronounced the importance of full and fair internet access and even more specifically issued guidance to member states on internet shutdowns…