South Sudan Lifts Ban on Facebook and TikTok Amid Efforts to Curb Violence

The South Sudanese government has lifted the temporary ban on Facebook and TikTok, which was imposed last week in response to the circulation of graphic videos allegedly showing the killing of South Sudanese citizens in Sudan.

In a letter addressed to internet and telecom companies, the National Communications Authority (NCA) confirmed that the controversial content, which sparked violent protests and retaliatory killings across the nation, has been removed from social media platforms.

“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,” wrote NCA Director Napoleon Adok Gai.

The violent incidents captured in the widely shared videos reportedly followed the Sudanese army's seizure of Wad Madani, the capital of El Gezira state, from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces earlier this month. The Sudanese army has described the incidents in the videos as “individual infractions,” but rights groups have criticized the military for ethnically targeted attacks on civilians in the region.

The interim ban on Facebook and TikTok was introduced as a measure to mitigate the spread of incendiary content that fueled violence within South Sudan. While the ban has now been lifted, the incident has highlighted the challenges of balancing online freedom with the need to prevent online incitement and ensure public safety.

The National Communications Authority emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of online incitement and protecting the rights of South Sudan’s citizens. This approach will likely involve collaboration between the government, social media platforms, and civil society to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.