Sudan is currently experiencing an internet blackout, and many are attributing it to the paramilitary group involved in the country’s civil war. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has denied any responsibility for the blackout. NetBlocks, an organization that monitors internet freedom, reported a “new collapse of internet connectivity” in Sudan. Additionally, a Sudanese hacktivist group targeted Uganda for welcoming the RSF leader. NetBlocks found disruptions to the services of internet providers Uganda Telecom and MTN, although a BBC reporter in Kampala did not notice any issues. Some individuals in Sudan have been unable to access the internet since Friday, and the situation has worsened since then. State-aligned media have blamed the RSF, but an RSF official accused the army of ordering communication cuts in certain areas. NetBlocks also reported that one of Sudan’s major mobile operators, Zain, was largely offline. Zain stated that it was facing difficult and dangerous circumstances beyond its control. Two other providers, MTN Sudan and Sudani, were operating at zero on Friday. This internet blackout adds to the challenges faced by a nation at war. The United Nations has appealed for $4.1 billion to address the urgent humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict in Sudan. The UN reports that at least nine million people have been displaced, and 25 million, or half of the population, require assistance. The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, emphasized the need for urgent action in Sudan.
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