Sudan blocks social media as citizens protest over high bread prices

Agencies

For more than a week now, protesters in major cities in Sudan have demonstrated against rising bread prices besides soaring inflation and shortages in fuel.

They want president Omar al-Bashir, who has ruled over the nation for almost three decades, to resign.  Protesters accuse government of autocracy and economic mismanagement.

Now, Bashir government is looking at the internet as one of the ways of putting an end to the overwhelming protests across the country.

According to Quartz Africa, besides introducing a state of emergency and arresting opposition figures, the northeastern African state has also shut down social media access on mobile networks. Data collected by digital advocacy group NetBlocks on Dec. 21 shows varying attempts to block platforms including Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram on mobile networks.

The internet was blocked on key telecom companies including MTN Sudan, Zain Sudan, Kanartel, and Sudatel. The interruption to these four services is expected to cost the economy over $7.5 million per day, according to estimates calculated through NetBlocks Cost of Shutdown Tool (COST).

Digital rights advocates have decried the internet block, saying it against the right to access and share crucial information. Khartoum cut off internet services back in 2013 amid similar anti-government protests.

Despite limited internet connectivity, activists and reporters are continuing to share photos and videos of peaceful protests taking place under the hashtag “The cities of Sudan rise”. Demonstrations, initially against austerity measures, have been occurring nearly every day, in the capital Khartoum, as well as in the cities of Omdurman, Port Sudan, Al-Qadarif, Umm Ruwaba, Al-Tartar and dozens of surrounding towns and villages.

So far 37 people have been killed whereas over 200 have been injured after the military violently repressed the rallies, shooting protesters and firing tear gas to disperse crowds. Hundreds more have been arrested and tortured, particularly students who have been detained en masse, with many claiming they were forced to confess to being part of a terror cell.