In a dire development, all three of Sudan’s primary internet operators experienced a widespread outage on Wednesday, leaving millions of people in conflict zones without crucial communication capabilities, as reported by the internet observatory NetBlocks.
The blackout not only affects individuals trapped in conflict zones but also jeopardizes the e-wallets that many rely on, particularly amid a pervasive cash shortage. The outage raises concerns about the potential impact on financial transactions and essential services in a region already grappling with the aftermath of a nine-month war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
While the RSF paramilitary denied responsibility, Reuters news agency reported, and the affected companies have refrained from publicly attributing blame for the network outages. Notably, two of the networks had already been offline since Friday, with telecom sources and the army-aligned state news agency attributing the shutdown to the RSF targeting MTN Sudan and Sudani. The blackout has now expanded to include Zain Sudan, according to NetBlocks.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has prompted aid agencies to issue warnings about escalating hunger and famine-like conditions in certain areas. The United Nations has urgently appealed to nations to remember the civilians caught up in the war, seeking $4.1 billion in funding to address humanitarian needs and provide support to those who have fled to neighboring countries. The network blackout exacerbates an already precarious situation, limiting the ability to coordinate relief efforts and hindering communication for those in desperate need of assistance.
