Service blocking
Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram
Khartoum
In April 2019, Sudan experienced multiple internet disruptions, especially during escalating protests against President Omar al-Bashir's rule. Protesters converging on army headquarters in Khartoum led to restrictions on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp, which were imposed by telecom operators such as MTN and Sudatel. The shutdowns were part of broader measures to limit communication and media coverage, particularly as demonstrations intensified. These restrictions were later compounded by widespread power outages, which disabled nearly 45% of telecommunications infrastructure during key moments of the protests
- Total Duration 1 day
Sudan
- Population
- 50,042,791
- UN Classification
-
- Least Developed Country
Freedom House rates Internet freedom as Not Free
Local impact
In April 2019, Sudan experienced multiple internet disruptions, especially during escalating protests against President Omar al-Bashir's rule. Protesters converging on army headquarters in Khartoum led to restrictions on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp, which were imposed by telecom operators such as MTN and Sudatel. The shutdowns were part of broader measures to limit communication and media coverage, particularly as demonstrations intensified. These restrictions were later compounded by widespread power outages, which disabled nearly 45% of telecommunications infrastructure during key moments of the protests
Related documentation
Urgent: Twitter, Periscope, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram blocked in #Sudan as calls for end to President al-Bashir’s rule intensify; demonstrations converging in #Khartoum; developing incident #SudanUprising ⬇️https://t.co/dtaR72LR8B pic.twitter.com/OEmA6CuDWM — NetBlocks (@netblocks) April 7, 2019
Thousands in #Sudan have taken to the streets in anti-government protests against the country’s President Omar al-Bashir, calling for him to resign. pic.twitter.com/iiH6q5OYmB— CGTN America (@cgtnamerica) April 9, 2019
An aerial recording of #Sudan-ese sit-in outside the Armer Forces General Command in Khartoum yesterday afternoon, 08 Apr 2019.#SudanUprising#SudanProtestspic.twitter.com/2GUd8KEQNo— Ahmed (@iAffable_) April 9, 2019
Other supporting information
It’s difficult to measure the effect of local/regional Internet shutdowns as most measurements are done at a country level. Learn more.