Nearly 100 organisations appeal for re-establishment of telecommunications infrastructure in Sudan
Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - Nearly 100 humanitarian, civil society, human rights organizations and members of the #KeepItOn coalition, have launched an urgent appeal for the re-establishment of telecommunications infrastructure across Sudan.
In a press release published by humanitarian charity, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), 94 organisations noted that Sudan has become the world’s worst displacement crisis and is on the brink of becoming the world’s worst hunger crisis.
In total, more than half of Sudan’s population – nearly 25 million people – need humanitarian aid. Over a year of relentless warfare and indiscriminate violence have destroyed homes, towns, livelihoods, and critical civilian infrastructure.
"Indiscriminate attacks and disruption of telecommunications by warring parties have severely affected civilians' ability to cope with the effects of the war, as well as aid workers' capacity to deliver essential services, with local responders most severely impacted," press release said.
"Both sides have consistently used targeted attacks on telecommunication infrastructure or the imposition of bureaucratic restrictions (such as the banning of the importation and use of certain satellite-internet devices). severely impacting civilian populations."
When available, internet access has been instrumental in assisting civilians share and receive critical and often lifesaving information, including about safe areas and routes. Civilians also use the internet to access cash and bank transfers—often receiving support from relatives living overseas—which for many has become a lifeline, allowing them to purchase the most basic necessities, such as food and water.
The organisations stressed that any shutdown of telecommunication services "is a violation of human rights and may be considered to be a collective punishment that will not only isolate individuals from their support networks but also exacerbate the already dire economic situation facing millions".
They said telecommunications infrastructure must be considered as critical civilian infrastructure. "As such, parties to the conflict must refrain from attacking, destroying, damaging, or otherwise rendering inoperable telecommunications infrastructure, facilitate the rehabilitation of damaged systems, and ensure telecommunication services are accessible to all, regardless of where they live."
In addition, they should lift restrictions on all satellite-internet and actively facilitate the importation of satellite-internet devices.
They said all service providers able to ensure connectivity in Sudan must immediately ensure that access to the internet remains accessible without interruption or additional cost increases.
This includes diversifying the means to access the internet, such as solutions based on satellite (including, though not limited to, Starlink) and WiMAX technology, or the use of e-SIMs near the country’s borders.
They said development donors and financial institutions should support the development of the telecommunication sector in the longer term, by promoting decentralised infrastructure and reducing barriers for smaller businesses to enter the telecommunications market.
"The United Nations, through the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster, must urgently increase emergency telecommunication capacity in Darfur and the Kordofans, and provide access to the services to all humanitarian actors, including expanding its services to civilians until other options become available."
The organisations include Access Now, Action Against Hunger, ADRA, African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies, Coalition for Darfur Women Human Rights Defenders, Danish Refugee Council, International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, International Press Institute and Norwegian Refugee Council.
-0- PANA MA 14May2024
