Sudan: RSF Denies Involvement in Communication Blackout

The telecommunications and internet services in Port Sudan experienced a brief restoration through Zain yesterday evening after a day-long outage, providing some relief to residents. However, Sudani and MTN services remained disrupted across the country for the third consecutive day.

According to a report from a listener in Port Sudan to Radio Dabanga, Zain services briefly returned, allowing individuals to conduct online transactions such as purchasing tickets. However, the respite was short-lived, as Zain services disappeared again by the following morning.

In Rabak, the capital of White Nile state, Zain network stability has been inconsistent over the past few days, indicating ongoing challenges in telecommunications infrastructure.

The Sudanese Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority (TPRA) attributed the disruptions to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accusing them of interfering with the operations of data centers belonging to Sudani and MTN providers since Saturday. Additionally, the TPRA alleged that RSF personnel compelled Zain technicians to halt services in River Nile State and the Red Sea state capital of Port Sudan. These actions were reportedly accompanied by threats to suspend Zain services nationwide.

These disruptions underscore the challenges faced by the telecommunications sector in Sudan, highlighting the impact of political and security dynamics on essential services.The control of data centers belonging to major communications providers such as Zain, El Sudani, and MTN by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in central Khartoum, established on April 15 during the onset of the war, has been identified as a key factor in the recent disruptions to telecommunications services in Sudan.

The Sudanese Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority (TPRA) highlighted the severe consequences of the Zain network outage in Port Sudan, emphasizing the significant impact on essential services such as passport issuance and banking transactions. This disruption underscores the critical role of telecommunications infrastructure in facilitating daily activities and administrative processes.

Furthermore, the TPRA reported ongoing challenges in western Sudan, particularly in Darfur, where communication services have been disrupted due to various factors including damage to wireless towers, vandalism of fiber optic cables, power outages, and fuel shortages. These disruptions have exacerbated the humanitarian situation in affected areas, limiting access to vital services and hindering relief efforts.

The Sudanese Fikra organization emphasized the devastating effects of the widespread mobile and internet blackout across multiple regions of the country, stressing the indispensable role of the internet as a lifeline for millions of Sudanese civilians. Access to the internet is crucial for accessing humanitarian aid, facilitating money transfers, and maintaining communication networks, particularly for vulnerable populations both within and outside of Sudan.

The denial by Mohamed El Mukhtar, legal adviser to RSF Commander Mohamed "Hemedti' Dagalo, regarding accusations of the RSF's involvement in the interruption of El Sudani and MTN services in Sudan underscores the complexity of the situation surrounding the telecommunications disruptions.

El Mukhtar refuted the allegations, citing statements from El Sudani and MTN indicating that the service interruptions were due to technical failures rather than deliberate actions by the RSF. He emphasized that efforts are underway to address these technical issues and restore services.

In addition, El Mukhtar pointed to alleged airstrikes by the Sudanese Air Force targeting vital infrastructure, including telecommunications companies' headquarters and towers, in Khartoum state and its surroundings. He also mentioned bombings of the El Jeili oil refinery, further implicating the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in the destruction of critical infrastructure.

The ongoing blackout in parts of Darfur and Kordofan was attributed by El Mukhtar to the SAF's actions, including the destruction of wireless towers during airstrikes targeting RSF positions.

These conflicting accounts highlight the challenges in discerning the root causes of the telecommunications disruptions in Sudan and the complex dynamics at play amidst the ongoing conflict and military operations in the country.

The response from the RSF advisor regarding the accusations by the TPRA sheds light on the political dynamics underlying the telecommunications disruptions in Sudan.

He suggested that the accusations were politically motivated, alleging that the TPRA, which is affiliated with the army, is targeting the RSF due to its connections with members of the former Al Bashir regime. He also questioned the TPRA's silence on the blackout in Darfur and Kordofan, implying selective enforcement of regulatory measures.

Furthermore, the RSF advisor dismissed the notion that the RSF forcibly cut off telecommunications services in Port Sudan and River Nile state, asserting that such actions would contradict the RSF's mandate and objectives. He emphasized the RSF's control over the areas where telecommunication companies operate since the outbreak of the war, indicating that if the RSF intended to disrupt services, it would have done so earlier.

The ongoing blackout in Darfur and Kordofan underscores the severity of the telecommunications challenges faced by communities in conflict-affected regions. The reliance on alternative solutions like the Starlink satellite service, despite its high costs, highlights the resilience of Sudanese citizens in seeking connectivity amidst adversity.