Sudan's Internet Shutdowns: A Pattern of Digital Oppression Amidst Calls for Restoration

In a concerning development that underscores a broader trend of digital suppression across Africa, Sudan has once again found itself in the throes of an internet shutdown, now entering its second week. This latest blackout, initiated on February 2, 2024, has seen the country's main internet operators—MTN, Zain Sudan, and Sudatel Telecom Group—go offline, effectively severing millions from the digital world. The United Nations Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, has called on Sudan to restore internet access, highlighting the critical need for connectivity even as paramilitary forces reportedly seek alternatives like Starlink to circumvent the blackout.

Sudan's history with internet shutdowns is both long and politically charged. Since the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, the country has faced repeated disruptions to its internet services, often in response to political unrest or as a means of quelling dissent. From the 36-day blackout following al-Bashir's ousting to the disruptions during protests against the transitional government and subsequent coups, these shutdowns have become a disturbingly common tactic for controlling information and suppressing opposition voices.

This pattern of internet blackouts is not unique to Sudan but reflects a worrying trend across the African continent. In recent years, governments in Africa have increasingly resorted to internet shutdowns as a tool for silencing dissent, controlling the flow of information, and curtailing citizens' rights. From Senegal, where President Macky Sall imposed a shutdown in the lead-up to elections, to 30 other African nations experiencing politically motivated blackouts over the last four years, the digital landscape in Africa is fraught with challenges.

The implications of these shutdowns are profound, affecting everything from freedom of expression and access to information to economic activity and emergency services. The cost to the continent has been steep, with shutdowns resulting in over $2 billion in losses, highlighting the dire need for a more open and accessible digital environment.

As Sudan navigates its latest episode of digital darkness, the international community's calls for the restoration of internet access underscore the vital role connectivity plays in modern society. The repeated use of internet blackouts as a means of political control not only infringes on basic human rights but also isolates nations at a time when global connectivity has never been more important. The challenge moving forward will be to ensure that digital spaces remain open and accessible, allowing for the free flow of information and ideas, even in the face of political turmoil.