On January 27, 2025, South Sudan lifted a controversial ban on Facebook and TikTok, ending a week of turbulence marked by widespread violence and protests. The temporary restriction on these platforms followed the circulation of graphic videos reportedly showing ethnically targeted killings of South Sudanese nationals in Sudan. These events underscored the volatile impact of social media in a region grappling with deep-seated ethnic tensions and fragile peace.
The upheaval began when distressing footage emerged on social media, allegedly depicting attacks on specific ethnic groups in Sudan’s El Gezira State after the Sudanese army captured the area’s capital, Wad Madani. Human rights organizations were quick to condemn Sudan’s military, accusing it of either perpetrating or tolerating these seemingly ethnic-based crimes—a charge the military dismissed as isolated incidents.
As the graphic videos went viral on TikTok and Facebook, they ignited a firestorm in neighboring South Sudan, where long-standing ethnic divisions remain a source of tension. Outrage over the videos sparked protests in South Sudan, which descended into violence in an alarming escalation of emotions. Many citizens perceived the footage as an attack on their own communities, fueling unrest that quickly spread across the nation.
In an attempt to curb the escalating violence, South Sudan’s government, through the National Communications Authority (NCA), implemented a temporary ban on Facebook and TikTok on January 23. This drastic measure sought to suppress the spread of incendiary content and misinformation. Napoleon Adok Gai, the NCA Director, defended the decision, emphasizing the fine balance between public safety and citizens’ rights. “Social media has immense power to connect,” Gai stated, “but it also has the capacity to divide and inflame.”
Additionally, a nighttime curfew and other restrictions were enforced to defuse tensions on the streets. However, the ban quickly faced criticism from human rights groups and the public, who argued that it infringed on free expression and was an inadequate solution to the underlying issues. Protests against the ban itself soon became another flashpoint, highlighting the limitations of such reactionary measures.
After just four days, on January 27, South Sudan’s government reversed its decision, lifting the ban on Facebook and TikTok. The move followed assurances that the violent content had been removed from the platforms, as well as growing public outcry. Napoleon Adok Gai acknowledged the complexities of the situation during a public statement: “It’s vital to address online incitement and disinformation, but we must do so while upholding the freedoms our citizens are entitled to.”
While the immediate crisis may have subsided, the events of this past week brought longstanding ethnic tensions into sharp focus. Rights advocates pointed out that the graphic videos, while horrific, conveyed the daily realities faced by ethnically targeted communities in the region. “The videos weren’t just forms of incitement,” one activist observed. “They told the truth about the violence these communities face every day.” This painful truth reveals the urgent need for long-term strategies aimed at healing ethnic divisions rather than short-term fixes like bans or blackouts.
Additionally, the incident highlighted the complex role of social media in modern conflicts. Digital platforms, while invaluable for communication and activism, also provide fertile ground for the spread of hate speech and disinformation. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration among governments, tech companies, and civil society organizations to ensure that digital spaces are not weaponized to fuel real-world harm.