Internet Disruption in Sudan
moatinoon
NetBlocks Observatory, which monitors internet services globally, confirmed that the internet service provider Zain went offline on Wednesday. With this development, all three internet service providers in Sudan have now ceased operations, marking the peak of the outage for the sixth consecutive day.
The observatory explained in a new tweet, "Direct network data shows a new collapse in internet connectivity in Sudan, and Zain, the leading mobile telecommunications company, is now disconnected from the internet."
With Zains network outage, internet services have been disrupted throughout the country since the main two companies, Sudani and MTN Sudan, stopped their services last Friday.
The companies have not provided reasons for the service interruption, but they pledged to continue efforts to restore the service. Meanwhile, the warring parties in Sudan exchanged accusations regarding the internet shutdown. Reuters reported that sources in the communications sector and the government-affiliated news agency cited the Rapid Support Forces closure of networks belonging to MTN Sudan and Sudani as the cause. However, a source from the Rapid Support Forces denied responsibility, and the companies did not publicly accuse any party.
Zain Sudans network reportedly returned to operation in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur State, yesterday after a four-month outage. However, the networks of Sudani and MTN Sudan remain disconnected.
Sudanese rely on the internet for survival, using online banking services to receive financial transfers from within the country and abroad to cover living expenses, medical treatment, transportation, stay in touch with their families, and help each other. The internet is also the lifeline for hundreds of volunteer committees working to provide food and medical aid, especially community kitchens, relying on online donations.
Unions and human rights groups protested the internet shutdown and warned of the consequences of depriving citizens of the right to information and services. The Sudanese Lawyers Unions interim committee stated that the telecommunications sector should not be considered a weapon of war. The Sudanese Journalists Union argued that cutting off the internet is a violation of freedom of expression, hindering access to healthcare, worsening the conditions of millions threatened by hunger, affecting journalists work, and increasing their suffering in monitoring and disseminating information and news.
The organization "Emergency Lawyers" stated that the internet outage exacerbates the humanitarian crisis for millions, exposing them to immense pressure from both sides of the war. The organization expected violations and crimes against citizens to increase if the communication outage continues.
