South Sudan lifts ban on Facebook and TikTok
South Sudan has discontinued its temporary ban on Facebook and TikTok, which was enacted last week.
This action followed the emergence of disturbing videos that purportedly depicted the killings of South Sudanese nationals amid ongoing unrest in Sudan.
The National Communications Authority communicated on January 27 that the objectionable content, which was linked to nationwide violent protests, had been taken down, thus allowing the platforms to function normally again.
The escalation of violence associated with social media content in the region highlights the necessity for a measured response.
“The rise of violence linked to social media content in South Sudan underscores the need for a balanced approach that addresses the root causes of online incitement while protecting the rights of the population,” Napoleon Adok Gai, the director of the National Communications Authority said.
Earlier in January, accountability for targeted attacks in El Gezira, Sudan, particularly against civilians, was attributed to the Sudanese army and its affiliates, following their military success over the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Rights organisations have raised concerns regarding these ethnically motivated assaults, revealing a pattern of violence caught on video and disseminated via social media platforms.
In response to the backlash, the Sudanese army repudiated these incidents, describing them as individual violations rather than systemic abuses.
