The ongoing conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led to significant internet shutdowns, severely impacting the country's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. These shutdowns, often politically motivated, have disrupted daily activities, banking, and emergency communications, exacerbating the challenges faced by conflict-affected communities. Major ISPs like MTN Sudan and Sudatel have experienced complete outages, and the economic ramifications are profound, threatening foreign investment and economic stability. The article calls for regional and international bodies to implement frameworks to safeguard telecommunication infrastructure and personnel during conflicts, recognizing such disruptions as humanitarian offenses.

On April 15, 2023, Khartoum, Sudan's capital, experienced clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leading to casualties and a power struggle between SAF's Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF's Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has disrupted basic services and significantly impacted information and communication technologies (ICT) and digital transformation efforts in Sudan. Frequent power outages necessitate generators for communication infrastructure, with only 40% of the population having access to the national grid. Network disruptions are common, with MTN Sudan experiencing outages and government-ordered internet cuts. Data centers have been damaged, affecting essential internet services, and the banking system has been offline for months. Despite the lack of data localization laws, many Sudanese websites are hosted abroad, and there is no specific data protection law in Sudan. The conflict's extension to Khartoum has uniquely impacted the city's role as a service hub, emphasizing the need to maintain ICT infrastructures and workforce.

The conflict in Sudan has severely disrupted ICT and digital transformation efforts, with many data centers losing access to their data and facilities, resulting in the failure of several essential internet-related services.

The article discusses the consequences of a conflict on data centers and internet-related services. It highlights the challenges faced by data center operators who have lost access to their data and facilities, resulting in the failure of various critical online services. The focus is on the technological and current affairs aspects of the situation, examining the impact of the conflict on the digital infrastructure.

On the second anniversary of the Sudanese revolution, demonstrators in Khartoum demanded faster reforms, justice, and in some cases, the removal of the government. The protests, which saw police using tear gas and sound bombs, highlighted ongoing challenges despite milestones achieved by the transitional government. The US State Department's removal of Sudan from the terrorism list was noted as a significant achievement. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdock faced mixed reactions for his travel to Djibouti during the anniversary, while various political figures and organizations expressed their views on the current state of Sudan.

Sudan experienced a second COVID-19 wave in November, with a significant increase in cases and deaths, including the loss of prominent figures like former Prime Minister Sadiq al-Madi. The crisis was exacerbated by a pharmaceutical shortage and a strike by resident doctors demanding better working conditions and permanent jobs. The Ministry of Health implemented measures to avoid a lockdown, while Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok stated the government's intention to avoid a second lockdown despite the severity of the pandemic. The doctors' strike affected 64 hospitals and health centers, leading to a shortage of medical services. The pharmaceutical crisis, worsened by the pandemic, has led to a dire shortage of medications and oxygen, with citizens struggling to find necessary drugs.

A growing trend of internet shutdowns and digital media clampdowns is observed in several African countries, often coinciding with school exams, mass protests, or elections. Guinea experienced a complete internet shutdown during a constitutional referendum that allowed President Alpha Conde to run for a third term. Sudan also saw mobile internet blackouts during school exams. Tanzania throttled internet services before the presidential election, which was criticized for falling below international standards. In Nigeria, the #EndSARS movement against police brutality led to protests and a subsequent government threat to clamp down on social media. These actions raise concerns about the state of democracy and freedom of expression in Africa.

In recent months, several African countries, including Algeria, Ethiopia, Guinea, Sudan, and Tanzania, have experienced full or partial internet blackouts, often justified by governments as measures to control misinformation or maintain order during politically sensitive times. These shutdowns, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have significant social and economic impacts, including violations of digital rights and human rights abuses. The Ethiopian government, for instance, disabled internet services following protests after the assassination of singer Hachalu Hundessa, leading to significant unrest and economic losses. Similarly, Algeria imposed internet restrictions during school examinations, affecting millions and resulting in substantial economic costs. The trend of using internet shutdowns to stifle dissent and control information is becoming increasingly common across the continent.

Transitional authorities in Sudan signed a historic peace agreement with the Sudan Revolutionary Front on August 31, 2020, in Juba, South Sudan, garnering regional and international support. The agreement promises autonomy for rebel groups and representation in parliament, aiming to address justice and equality issues. However, the peace deal is overshadowed by severe flooding in Sudan, causing significant humanitarian and economic damage. The agreement's future is uncertain due to differing views on the separation of religion and state, and the exclusion of two main rebel groups. The Sudanese government faces challenges in addressing basic needs amid economic instability.

Violence erupted in Port Sudan on August 9, 2020, along ethnic and tribal lines, highlighting Sudan's fragile security situation. The conflict involved the Nuba people and the Beni Amir, with tensions stemming from previous homicides. Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok deployed the Central Reserve Forces and enforced a curfew to quell the violence, which resulted in 32 deaths and 98 injuries. Criticism was directed at the federal government for its inaction. The Sudanese Professionals Association organized a march demanding government accountability, which was met with police resistance. Concerns about foreign interference and the need for urgent government action were raised.

Sudan's rainy season has led to disastrous flooding, with the Bout Dam collapse displacing thousands and destroying over 1,200 houses. The Sudanese Red Crescent Society reported at least four deaths and significant property damage across various regions. The government's historical inability to address the annual floods has been highlighted, with current efforts involving local and international aid, emergency committees, and infrastructure planning. Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok detailed government preparedness and response on Twitter, emphasizing the heaviest rainfall in 30 years and the need for long-term urban planning solutions.

Citizens in Nertati, central Darfur, Sudan, have initiated a sit-in demanding security and peace, calling for an end to militia attacks, disarmament, and protection of agricultural activities. The sit-in has garnered support from neighboring regions, activists, and high-profile government officials, including Prime Minister Dr. Abdalla Hamdok. The Sudanese Professionals Association has also expressed full support, highlighting the power of peaceful protest. The region has a history of violence and insecurity, exacerbated by the availability of firearms and intercommunal conflicts. The transitional government faces a critical test in addressing these demands and achieving lasting peace and social justice.

Sudan faces a severe pharmaceutical crisis exacerbated by the government's removal of medicine subsidies in 2016, leading to skyrocketing prices and a shortage of essential drugs. The Central Bank of Sudan's lack of foreign currency further hampers the import of medicines. Protests by pharmacists and associations have pressured the government to allocate a budget for drugs, but internal conflicts and mismanagement persist. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation, with increased prices for protective equipment and a halt in medical services. A blame game between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance over the misuse of foreign aid adds to the uncertainty of resolving the crisis.

Sudan has experienced significant internet shutdowns during politically charged periods, notably during the revolution that ousted Omar al-Bashir and subsequent protests. These shutdowns, ordered by the Transitional Military Council, severely impacted communication, human rights, and the economy, with losses estimated in billions of dollars. Digital rights activists and organizations like the Professionals’ Union of Technology and Communication took measures to circumvent the shutdowns. The article calls for legal reforms to prevent future shutdowns and protect internet freedom and user privacy.