by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – SOUTH Sudan is intensifying its crackdown against hate speech, which is mostly perpetrated via the cyber space.
Hate speech is escalating as the world’s newest country suffers rising tensions ahead of elections scheduled for 2026.
On Tuesday, Ministers of Information from the ten states and three administrative areas converged in the capital Juba for a three-day National Conference to combat hate speech.
Ateny Wek Ateny, the Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, spoke at the inauguration of the conference.
“Although the government encourages freedom of expression as enshrined in the constitution, it should not incite violence and threaten social cohesion,” he said.
Civil society organisations are participating at the conference in Juba.
Edmond Yakani, Executive Director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation, said hate speech amounts to 37 percent of the factors that trigger social friction in South Sudan.
Elijah Alier Kuai, the Managing Director of the Media Authority, appealed to the government to strengthen regulations.
“There is a need to impose media regulations that prohibit hate speech. It is essential for national safety and harmony,” Kuai said.
In November, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly passed the Cybersecurity and Computer Misuse Bill, hailed as a breakthrough towards addressing online crimes and hate speech.
The bill has been sent to President Salva Kiir, for signing and thereby assenting into law.
– CAJ News