Sudan’s telecommunications regulator has implemented a comprehensive ban on WhatsApp voice and video calling features, effective Friday, marking the first time the conflict-torn nation has specifically targeted the popular messaging platform’s communication services.
The Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority announced the restriction on Sunday, describing it as a “precautionary measure” necessary to protect national security and critical infrastructure during a period of intense internal strife. The ban will remain in effect indefinitely, according to officials who cited ongoing security threats as justification for the dramatic move.
The decision comes as Sudan continues to grapple with a devastating conflict that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
This prolonged warfare has already displaced more than nine million people and systematically destroyed much of the country’s public infrastructure, including vital telecommunications networks that millions depend on for basic communication.
WhatsApp has emerged as a lifeline for Sudanese citizens, particularly in war-torn regions like Darfur and South Kordofan where traditional communication infrastructure lies in ruins.
The Meta-owned platform’s end-to-end encryption capabilities and minimal data consumption requirements have made it indispensable during periods when internet access becomes severely restricted or unreliable.
The ban will have far-reaching consequences for communication across the nation.
Millions of Sudanese citizens who rely on WhatsApp’s voice and video features for daily communication will be forced to seek alternative methods, while those living abroad will lose their primary means of maintaining affordable contact with family members back home.
The regulator acknowledged this hardship in its official statement, apologizing for the inconvenience while asking citizens to prioritize “national interest above personal need.”
Sudan has experienced repeated internet disruptions and complete shutdowns since the conflict began, with global internet monitoring organization NetBlocks attributing these outages to both deliberate actions by authorities and armed groups, as well as physical damage to telecommunications infrastructure caused by ongoing fighting.
The telecommunications authority emphasized that text messaging and other WhatsApp functions will continue operating normally, suggesting the ban specifically targets real-time voice and video communication rather than the platform entirely.
This selective approach indicates concerns about the potential use of these features for coordination activities that authorities may view as threatening to national security.
This move places Sudan among a select group of nations that have restricted Voice over Internet Protocol services, joining countries like the United Arab Emirates, which has long maintained similar restrictions for regulatory purposes.
However, Sudan’s ban differs significantly as it emerges directly from active conflict conditions rather than standard telecommunications policy.
The timing of the ban raises questions about the government’s ability to monitor communications during a period of intense military engagement.
End-to-end encryption prevents authorities from accessing message content, potentially creating challenges for security agencies attempting to track communications that might threaten national stability.
As Sudan’s conflict continues with no clear resolution in sight, this WhatsApp restriction represents another significant disruption to normal life for citizens already facing unprecedented challenges.
The ban underscores how modern conflicts increasingly extend into digital spaces, with governments viewing control over communication platforms as essential to maintaining security during periods of national crisis.
The international community will be watching closely to see whether this restriction marks the beginning of broader internet censorship measures or remains an isolated response to specific security concerns related to the ongoing military conflict.
