Internet disrupted, quiet streets in South Sudan after the call for protests

NAIROBI, Aug 30 (Reuters) – Internet services in South Sudan were disrupted on Monday and security forces patrolled the streets after activists called for protests against the government of President Salva Kiir.

The capital of Juba was quieter than usual, as residents took refuge inside. Internet access was restored on Monday evening, according to residents, although service was slow.

A coalition of activist groups had reiterated its call on Sunday for rallies to demand Kiir’s resignation. However, by mid-afternoon there was no sign of large rallies on the street in Juba. Some activists told Reuters they were hiding for security reasons.

Activists accuse the Kiir government of corruption and failure to protect the population or provide basic services. The government has repeatedly denied allegations of rights and advocacy groups for abuse and corruption.

Addressing lawmakers as he opened a new session of parliament, Kiir called those behind the calls “people who wish us badly.”

“Improving the well-being of our people is our priority,” he said.

Kiir said Parliament should urgently approve the government budget, adding that lawmakers should also help ease the planned election process at the end of a transitional period to avoid instability.

Police said the activists had not asked permission to protest and therefore any large demonstration would be illegal.

“We have deployed forces at least to maintain order in case of any problems. These forces are on the street for your safety,” police spokesman Daniel Justin Boulogne said.

Mobile data had not been available on the network of South African mobile operator MTN Group since Sunday afternoon and, on Monday morning, had also been stopped on the network of operator Zain Group, based in Kuwait. (ZAIN.KW)

Alp Toker, director of NetBlocks, a London-based group that monitors Internet outages, said it had detected “a major disruption to Internet service in South Sudan as of Sunday evening, including major networks cell phones “.

Internet service resumed Monday evening, residents said.

Deputy Information Minister Baba Medan told Reuters he could not comment on the reported closure when he attended the opening of parliament. MTN did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

An industry source with direct knowledge of the issue said the fall was due to a government directive.

Jame activist David Kolok told Reuters that the shutdown of the Internet was a sign “authorities are in a panic.”

Nairobi Editorial Reports Additional Reports by Alexander Cornwell in Dubai and Nqobile Dludla in Johannesburg Writing by Maggie Fick; Edited by Peter Graff and Angus MacSwan

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