On 22 January 2025, the National Communications Authority of the Republic of South Sudan instructed Internet Service Providers (ISPs) across the country to begin blocking TikTok and Facebook for a minimum of 30 days, with the potential to extend this up to 90 days. The justification was to prevent the further distribution of graphic content related to ongoing violence in neighboring Sudan.
Making Their Voices Heard
Understanding the devastating social and economic impact that this order would have, the Internet Society South Sudan Chapter sprang into action. Within hours, the chapter issued a statement in response, urging the government to lift the ban, drawing attention to the significant challenges to communications, human rights, and the free flow of communication that it had caused.
The chapter also appeared on the breakfast show of the most popular radio station to ensure that everyone was aware of what was going on. A copy of the statement was also delivered to the offices of the Director General of the National Communication Authority and the Ministry of Information, Technology, Communication, and Postal Service.
By 27 January, the National Communications Authority had lifted the ban, using much of the text the chapter had used in its statement in the announcement it distributed.
Impact on the Economy
For the six days that the ban was in place, businesses across South Sudan faced operational disruption and restricted ability to communicate effectively with clients. Swangin Scopas is in charge of Communication and Branding at Zain, a mobile communications and information technology services provider in South Sudan that relies heavily on social media platforms to communicate with clients.
“We often use social media platforms to provide real-time customer support, send important updates, and engage with users,” explains Scopas. “The shutdown cut off one of our key communication channels, which led to delayed responses, reduced interaction with our customers and meant that people were unable to get the support they needed, when they needed it.”
The Internet in South Sudan—Fast Facts
• Population (2023): 11.9 million
• Percentage of population using the Internet: 12%
• Internet Resilience Index score: 26%
• Internet Shutdowns in the last 12 months: 1
• Active Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs): 23
• Transit provider diversity score: poor
• Retail Internet Service Provider (ISP) diversity score: poor
Learn more about the Internet environment in South Sudan in the Pulse Country Report.
Most businesses rely heavily on social media to market their services, launch promotions, and build brand presence. During government-mandated social media blocking, many businesses are unable to advertise their goods or services effectively. Connecting with potential and existing customers is impacted, resulting in negative effects on sales and customer loyalty across multiple sectors.
“We monitor social media to proactively address complaints, and manage our company’s reputation,” continues Scopas. “The block on social media prevented our teams from tracking what was being said about us online, and we were unable to respond to issues promptly, which could have potentially harmed the company’s public image. We also use social media for internal operations, including tools for collaboration, internal messaging, and team coordination, so the disruption of the platforms caused inefficiencies in our internal communications too.”
Keeping the Internet On and Strong
The South Sudan Chapter’s persistence and the publication of the statement helped to ensure that the social media ban did not last the full 30-90 days that the government had initially decreed. Internet shutdowns disrupt productivity, prevent e-commerce from happening, generate monetary losses in time-sensitive transactions, and increase unemployment.
Any disruption to the Internet, no matter it’s duration, has a detrimental effect on the economy and society. Even short term social media blocking can cause financial hardship for entrepreneurs, small business owners, as well as to large enterprises who rely on social media to connect with their customers.
“Social media platforms have evolved into critical communication services, allowing people to keep in touch with family and friends, especially during times of instability,” says Gama. “They also enable people to access information and online services when and where they need them. Cutting access can be detrimental to an entire population’s health and well-being. This is why we did everything in our power to explain to the government that although we understood why they had initiated the ban, it was doing more harm than good to our country, our economy and our people.”
Stay up to date on where Internet shutdowns are happening on Internet Society Pulse. If you’d like to share a story of how an Internet shutdown impacted your life or business, get in touch at (email protected).
Image © Internet Society South Sudan Chapter