A near-total communications blackout in Sudan following all network and internet shutdowns in early February poses serious risks to the coordination of emergency aid and humanitarian services to millions of people caught up in the conflict, Amnesty International said today.
The ongoing shutdown has limited the ability of millions of people to communicate with their families, find safe zones away from fighting, access life-saving supplies and receive mobile money services.
“The continued telecommunications outage is unacceptable; it endangers millions of lives. As millions of Muslim worshipers in Sudan prepare to mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan, Amnesty International is demanding a full restoration of communications services across Sudan,” said Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.
Without communication, humanitarian operations and relief efforts are likely to come to a complete standstill, putting millions of lives at risk.
Sarah JacksonDeputy Regional Director of Amnesty International East and Southern Africa
“This blackout is already affecting vulnerable populations who have had to endure conflict for almost a year. Without communication, humanitarian operations and relief efforts are likely to come to a complete standstill, putting millions of lives at risk. The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) should refrain from cutting off the internet as it is a lifeline for civilians.”
Difficult to communicate with families and monitor violations
More than 20 people interviewed by Amnesty International said they are still experiencing problems communicating with their friends and family members since the communications blackout began in early February. This has caused fear among Sudanese communities outside the country, who are unable to connect and communicate with their loved ones.
The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) should refrain from shutting down the internet as it is a lifeline for civilians.
Sarah Jackson
A Sudanese national currently living in Kenya said: “I have been unable to communicate with my relatives in Khartoum for more than two weeks now. I’m so concerned about their situation. I can only hope they are doing well. Because of the internet outage, I worry about my family every day.”
Also, human rights observers and defenders monitoring the situation in Sudan are unable to conduct meaningful documentation of human rights violations due to the internet shutdown. More than 15 human rights defenders interviewed by Amnesty International in Kenya and Uganda said they have struggled to document ongoing violations in most of Sudan since the communications blackout began.
Amnesty International researchers have also found it extremely challenging to communicate with people in Sudan, especially in the cities of Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman.
Consequences for emergency services
The work of humanitarian workers on the front lines has also been severely affected. One such group of providers is the Emergency Response Rooms (ERR), which were spontaneously formed to help coordinate support for Sudanese affected by the war and provide life-saving services to communities. The virtual chambers consist of Sudanese in the diaspora and volunteers on the ground who process requests from the public through WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms. These humanitarian requests include evacuation needs, identification of safe routes and exits, transportation options, access to food, water, electricity, shelter and other basic needs. The shutdown of the Internet has put the important work of the ERR on the verge of paralysis.
Five ERR coordinators interviewed by Amnesty International said they find it difficult to coordinate with their colleagues on the ground to deliver food and other basic needs to communities.
A representative currently outside Sudan said: “Due to the internet outage, we are unable to communicate with our volunteers, purchase food and medicine and provide these services to those in need. Most of our soup kitchens in greater Khartoum are locked and therefore not working. We are also unable to procure and supply medicines and other medical equipment to the very limited healthcare facilities still operating in the city.”
Impact on mobile money transfers
Due to the internet shutdown, Sudanese in the diaspora and those coordinating relief efforts in the country are unable to send or transfer money to Sudan and within Sudan through mobile banking applications, one of the few remaining ways to transfer money to and within Sudan. In some cases, when money is transferred, the recipients do not have access to the money.
A humanitarian worker said: “E-wallets require an internet connection to complete transactions. Lack of internet connectivity freezes E-wallet transactions, and no money means most of ERR work cannot be delivered, including the delivery of food and other supplies.”
E-wallets require an internet connection to complete transactions. Lack of internet connection freezes E-wallet transactions, and no money means most of ERR work cannot be delivered, including the delivery of food and other supplies
Humanitarian aid worker, Sudan
“Insecurity, looting and bureaucratic barriers have affected the delivery of humanitarian aid in many parts of the country, and the internet shutdown is exacerbating an already dire situation. We call on all parties to the conflict to ensure unrestricted and safe humanitarian access for all who need it.”
“Ahead of the donor conference in Paris on April 15, Amnesty International also calls on the international community to increase and strengthen humanitarian assistance to Sudan.” said Sarah Jackson.
Background
On February 4, Netblocks reported disruptions to multiple internet providers in Sudan, where connectivity levels were already severely reduced due to the ongoing conflict. Once again, Netblocks reported another collapse in internet connectivity in Sudan on February 7, with leading mobile operator Zain largely offline. Internet connectivity remains an issue in many regions in Sudan, despite reports of gradual connectivity in some areas.
Since the conflict broke out in April 2023, both SAF and RSF have shut down the internet to block information flows in areas controlled by the opposing side, according to Access Now. The latest closure in early February exacerbates an already catastrophic humanitarian and human rights crisis that has left more than 14,600 people dead and more than nine million internally displaced; the world’s largest internal displacement crisis. The continued weaponization of internet shutdowns by Sudan’s warring parties is a violation of international law.
Media reports and five Sudanese experts interviewed by Amnesty International attributed the total telecommunications blackout that hit Sudan on February 7 to the RSF. The experts said RSF imposed a telecommunications blackout in retaliation against SAF ordering a similar blackout late last year in Darfur, which is largely controlled by the RSF.
