By Emmanuel Mandella

The National Communication Authority (NCA), has hinted on lifting the partial social media ban (on Facebook and TikTok) within 72 hours, following compliance from Meta platforms to address the circulation of inflammatory and harmful content. This comes after the NCA’s decision to block the platforms, citing concerns over public safety and mental health.

In a statement obtained by The City Review yesterday, January 23, the Authority’s Director General, Napoleon Adok clarified that the NCA’s actions were guided by Section 9g of the National Communication Authority Act, which mandates the authority to protect public interests in internet activities. The move followed days of protests and violence in South Sudan, during which graphic social media content allegedly exacerbated tensions.

“Our intention was not to create a blackout but to address specific sources of harmful content. Meta has worked with us to blur and remove gruesome images, and we are now confident the situation can be resolved sooner than anticipated,” Adok said.

Adok revealed that Meta platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, have taken measures to remove or restrict access to content deemed harmful. TikTok has also been in direct communication with the NCA to address these concerns.

“We must protect the mental health of our children and ensure that such images do not radicalize or divide our communities,” Adok stressed, urging citizens to report harmful content directly to Meta’s algorithms to help moderate platforms more effectively.

The NCA DG emphasized that South Sudan’s internet is “freer than the internet itself” due to its reliance on international providers but called for greater responsibility from users. He acknowledged that some citizens bypassed the ban using VPNs and urged them to act responsibly.

“If you are responsible enough to use a VPN, you should also be responsible enough not to disseminate harmful content,” Adok said. He reiterated that the ban targeted content servers hosting inflammatory material, not individual users.

Adok credited the swift cooperation from Meta and other stakeholders, including human rights groups, the Media Authority, and security agencies, for helping to address the issue. He revealed that 2.7 million South Sudanese access Facebook and TikTok, and appealed to users to participate in content regulation by reporting inappropriate posts.

“If even a quarter of our 2.7 million users report harmful content, social media platforms can regulate themselves naturally without intervention,” Adok stated.

NCA reiterated its commitment to ensuring unrestricted internet access and freedom of expression while balancing the need to protect public interests.

“We are grateful for the feedback we have received and remain committed to ensuring that everyone can share freely and responsibly,” Adok concluded.

The collaboration between South Sudanese authorities, international platforms like Meta, and citizens could set a precedent for managing digital spaces in a way that respects both freedom and accountability.