South Sudanese express mixed reactions following social media shut down

The recent government decision to shut down Facebook and Tiktok has sparked mixed reactions in the general public, according to a fact check conducted on Friday by The Dawn newspaper.

By Simon Deng

The recent government decision to shut down Facebook and Tiktok has sparked mixed reactions in the general public, according to a fact check conducted on Friday by The Dawn newspaper.

Some South Sudanese have commended the government for censoring hate speech and incitement to violence, following public uproar which erupted in the aftermath of the execution of South Sudanese nationals by the Sudan Armed Forces on January 11, in Wad Medani, Sudan.

Deng Nicholas Aleu, a South Sudanese in the diaspora appreciated the government for taking the bold decision on Thursday to shut down social media platforms.

“I would like to appreciate the government of South Sudan for the initiative they have taken concerning the suspension of social media sites such as TikTok and Facebook, I have seen the harm which has been caused by social media sites to our society,” said Aleu.

The National Communication Authority on Thursday directed internet service providers to shut down the two platforms for three months in a bid to censor hate speech, and the sharing of gruesome videos depicting the killings in Wad Medani.

  “I am not pleased with the period of three months, I would like to urge the government to extend the ban until further notice,” said Aleu.

Jok Abraham, an entrepreneur said the government should take lessons from the recent riots and work to create job opportunities for the unemployed youth who took part in the looting and vandalizing of shops owned by Sudanese nationals.

Chol Jacob Dut, a social media user said that the shutdown of Facebook and Tiktok platforms will increase frustration among young people, adding that majority of youth use social media platform for connections and entertainment.

“Shutting down Facebook will increase anger and stress because people have been using on Facebook and Tiktok for entertainment and connecting with friends and relatives,” said Dut.

Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) appreciated the South Sudan Media Authority for issuing a public notice for users of various social media platforms.

“It is a positive response to our previous advocacy, which calls on South Sudanese and Sudanese in South Sudan to abstain from using social media for perpetuating violations of human rights or promoting violence,” said Yakani.

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