KHARTUM / KHARTUM BAHRI / ED DAMAZIN / AMSTERDAM –
April 24, 2023
Since yesterday there have been internet failures in Sudan. As of Sunday morning, Sudani and Kanar’s networks were completely cut off and Zain partially cut off. Anti-war protests erupted in some parts of the country.
NetBlocks, a London-based organization dedicated to monitoring internet access around the world, tweeted yesterday that “real-time network data shows a near-total collapse in internet activity in Sudan, with national connectivity now at two percent of normal levels.” “.
The organization said last night that the country has remained largely offline.
Sudanese forces accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of sabotaging network exchanges early Sunday morning and attempting to control the El Jeili refinery in the eastern part of Khartoum North.
Sources told Khartoum’s Radio Dabanga that the Sudanese company had suspended its telecom and internet services, while the rest of the networks experienced a noticeable slowdown.
NetBlocks also reported that internet connectivity temporarily dropped in Chad as well. “The country gets much of its connectivity from Cameroon and Sudan, which have largely gone offline earlier today.”
protests against the war
In relatively safe locations in Greater Khartoum, El Gezira and the Blue Nile region, people held marches and vigils to call for an end to the war.
Activists launched the hashtag No_to_War in Arabic, which quickly spread on social media.
On Sunday, women’s groups organized a vigil in Ed Damazin, the capital of the Blue Nile region, to denounce the war. “Many dead soldiers from both the army and the RSF came from the region,” a protester told Radiuo Dabanga.
In Dardoug, in the northern part of Khartoum North (Bahri), people held an anti-march on Saturday night. Also in Arbaji in El Gezira, people took to the streets to demand “an immediate end to the war”.
Karari Resistance Committees in Omdurman launched a “No to War” campaign by releasing video clips and postings on social media.
In Khartoum, the resistance committees urged the youth not to barricade the streets as this would hamper possible relief and evacuation operations.
In the Netherlands, Sudanese and friends organized a vigil in Dam Square in Amsterdam on Sunday.
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