Telecom Network Failure Deepens Rural Isolation in Ruweng and Upper Nile

(JUBA) – The national Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, Michael Makuei Lueth, has received formal reports revealing major challenges in telecommunications and disaster recovery from Ruweng Administrative Area and Upper Nile State.

The reports were presented to the Minister on Tuesday by the respective State Ministers of Information, James Monylual Majok from Ruweng and Peter Ngwojo Akwiny from Upper Nile. They detailed worsening communication issues in their regions, particularly poor network performance by South Sudan’s largest service providers, MTN and Zain.

According to the officials, residents using Zain and MTN networks often go two to three days without access to any mobile signal, severely affecting communication and access to information.

Ruweng Minister Monylual explained that this issue has left many people disconnected for extended periods, further complicating service delivery in health, education and security sectors.

To address the connectivity gaps, Upper Nile Minister Akwiny proposed that the government should open discussions with Digitel, a smaller but growing telecom operator, to explore possible expansion into these underserved regions.

In addition to poor connectivity, both ministers reported that floods have caused widespread damage in Ruweng, washing away crops and devastating agricultural farms. The situation has disrupted livelihoods, food production, and local markets.

Furthermore, Upper Nile’s capital, Malakal, is reportedly experiencing severe shortages of essential goods. The ministers stated that the central market is almost entirely out of stock, worsening the already fragile humanitarian situation.

They called on the national government to intervene urgently to improve telecommunications infrastructure and deliver emergency support to communities affected by natural disasters and supply disruptions.