(KHARTOUM) – Sudanese authorities have announced plans to block voice and video calls on WhatsApp starting this week, citing unspecified “national security” threats as the country continues to grapple with a devastating civil conflict.
The measure announced by the Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority on Sunday will take effect from Friday, 25 July 2025, and will remain in place until further notice.
In an official statement, the regulator said the move is a “precautionary measure against security threats” intended to protect “national security and the country’s supreme interests.”
However, the authority clarified that other WhatsApp features such as text messaging, group chats and file sharing will remain active and unaffected.
The decision is expected to have a significant impact on millions of Sudanese citizens who depend heavily on WhatsApp for everyday communication, particularly in areas where traditional mobile and landline infrastructure has been destroyed or rendered inoperable due to ongoing fighting. The Darfur and Kordofan regions are among the hardest hit areas, where mobile networks have been disrupted or completely cut off.
The restriction also comes as a blow to Sudanese families with members living abroad. Many rely on WhatsApp’s free video and voice call features to keep in touch, especially given the high cost of international calling.
By curbing this functionality, the Sudanese government’s directive could widen the communication gap between displaced families and the Sudanese diaspora, including communities in South Sudan and elsewhere across East Africa.
The authority issued an apology to the public for the inconvenience, thanking users for “prioritising the nation’s interest over their personal interests.”
It did not specify what type of security concerns had triggered the restriction or whether other digital platforms would be similarly targeted in future.
This is the first time Sudan has imposed a targeted block on specific features of WhatsApp, which is one of the most widely used messaging platforms across Africa and the Middle East. Sudan now joins a list of countries, including the United Arab Emirates, that have imposed similar bans on internet based voice and video communication services.
For South Sudan, where WhatsApp also plays a central role in cross border family communication and humanitarian coordination, the restriction in neighbouring Sudan could pose challenges for families with relatives displaced by conflict or those who depend on communication with aid workers and NGOs operating in border regions.
Although Sudanese authorities argue that the move is necessary to protect national interests, such restrictions may isolate communities further and hamper efforts by civil society groups to disseminate information or organise humanitarian support.
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