South Sudan has enacted a social media ban for a minimum of 30 days amid rising violence against South Sudanese in Sudan. The directive aims to prevent the spread of inciting material and hate speech. The situation has escalated following reports of targeted attacks against South Sudanese civilians, leading to widespread protests and a call for government action.
South Sudan has imposed a temporary ban on social media for a period of at least 30 days to mitigate concerns surrounding the dissemination of violent content related to South Sudanese individuals in Sudan. The National Communications Authority has issued a directive instructing social media providers to prohibit the circulation of hate speech and inciting images. This ban is effective immediately and may extend for a maximum duration of 90 days, depending on developments concerning the violence in Sudan.
This directive follows significant public unrest in South Sudan triggered by the release of disturbing images depicting the murder of South Sudanese civilians in Sudan’s El Gezira state, reportedly perpetrated by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF). South Sudanese officials have claimed that their citizens are being expressly targeted amidst the conflict between the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), contributing to ongoing tensions within the region. The current civil war in Sudan has led to severe human rights abuses and a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by continued fighting.
The recent actions taken by South Sudan underscore the gravity of the crisis faced by its citizens in Sudan amid escalating violence. As South Sudan seeks to protect its populace from hate speech and violent imagery, coordination between both governments continues to focus on the repatriation of affected citizens. In light of these developments, international support may be crucial in addressing these urgent humanitarian needs.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
