South Sudan government spokesman threatens actions against people ‘abusing’ internet  

JUBA, SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan’s information minister Michael Makuei Lueth has warned against the “abuse” of the internet, saying that it was created for business and not for spreading “nonsense” on social media.

Makuei who is also the government spokesman made the remarks at a special session during the economic conference in Juba on Friday where he threatened that the government would take legal action against those who abuse the internet.

“There are a lot of people who are actually abusing the internet,” Lueth said. “The internet was originally created for business; it was not created for all these nonsenses which are flying all over in the social media. This is the real abuse of social media.”

The senior government official urged people to use the internet responsibly and to respect the law.

“I am advising people not to abuse social media, but to use it the correct way,” he said. “If we go to the manufacturer of the internet today and find that we are abusing it that much, he might really regret having producing it, so let us respect the social media, let us respect the internet.”

Makuei said the government would track down and prosecute those who abuse the internet.

“All those who are abusing the internet here in South Sudan, we will get hold of them, and we will take you to the court by the way,” he said. “Respect yourself, respect the internet and social media so that you don’t fall into crisis, otherwise we will be on your neck soon.”

The government’s warning comes amid growing concerns about the spread of misinformation and hate speech on social media in South Sudan.

The country has a history of violence and instability, and there are fears that the internet could be used to incite further conflict.

The government has however been accused by activists and human rights organizations of using the “internet abuse” as a justification for censorship.