"The Internet helped me improve my English and connect to the world. I visit all websites and they are all easy. I can also access those websites that are blocked"
A Sudanese youth in an interview with Al-Sahafa newspaper
General Overview
Sudan is the largest country in Africa with an area of more than 2.5 million km 2 . It has borders are opened to nine African and Arab countries (1). Sudan is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. Furthermore, Sudan suffers from a lot of internal political problems. Among the most prominent problems are Southern Sudan a dispute which was settled recently, and the current problems in Darfur , which can be seen on the headlines of almost all media all over the world.
Internal problems, and repeated political coups over dozens of years, which has most recently resulted in a "semi-Islamic" government after the military coup of 1989 (2), cast long shadows over the economy and living conditions of the Sudanese people. This has turned Sudan into a very poor country in spite of its vast natural resources. The average annual per capita income is just 359 dollars. The population, according to 2004 statistics, is more than 36 million people (3).
Internet and Telecommunication Sector
Prior to 1994 the Sudanese government dominated the telecommunications sector. However, this ended when the state announced the foundation of the National Telecommunication Corporation and its intention to open the telecommunications market to the private sector (4). In addition to these measures the state-owned Public Wire and Wireless Telecommunication Corporation was turned into a joint-stock private company known as Suda Tel which constructed a new telecommunications network (5). Afterward the construction of the network, Suda Net, a state-owned company was founded to provide internet services in Sudan (6).
Suda Net remained the sole provider of internet service in Sudan till 2005. In that year, the minister of information and telecommunication announced the elimination of its monopoly. The purpose of this was in order to decrease telecommunication costs, increase the rate of development in the field of information technology and to narrow the digital divide between rural and urban areas (7). Currently there are six companies providing internet service in Sudan . The most important ones are Free Net, Sky Net, Zina Net, and Fast Net (8), in addition to the pioneer company Suda Net which is still dominating telecommunication market.
In 2004 Sudan had in excess of 1.3 million land lines, and more than 1 million mobile phone lines (9). There are few, up to date, reliable official statistics regarding the use of the internet. However what statistics there are indicate that in 2000 there were some 12,000 internet subscribers. However, the number of actual users is 1.14 million (10). The percentage of users reached 3.2% with a rate of increase of 3.7% during the last five years (11). These are low rates in comparison with the regional or global situation.
Communication and Internet Law
In 2004, the Sudanese National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) decided to install censorship devices on websites (12). NTC stated that would censor pornographic websites in an attempt to preserve morals and to prevent immorality (13). The NTC denied that censorship would hinder the work of the internet.
The decision to censor websites and prevent access to some of them from within Sudan was not expressed in ministerial resolutions or a clear law setting out a general framework for such action. Instead, the general framework of censorship and blocking revolves around ill defined moral and religious statements which have nothing to do with clear binding laws open to judicial supervision.
Censorship and Blocking
When the internet first became available in Sudan it was totally free of any censorship or blocking. This was in spite of the state control of the service through Suda Net then the sole service provider. It is probable that the reasons for this situation ware the weakness of the Sudanese economy and the attempts of the state to attract foreign investments in the field of telecommunications. However, the six years of freedom ended in 2003 when Sudan began censoring and blocking websites.
The National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) founded a special unit to filter information accessed by internet users in Sudan based on website content, not on the name of the website in order ‘to preserve good values and protect society (14). The NTC claims that the control unit receives requests to close certain websites on a daily basis. but also requests to unblock websites which have been closed by mistake. It emphasized that of these applications are carefully considered (15).
The National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) claims that pornographic websites account for more than 95% of blocked web pages and that other sites it block contain information about drugs, bomb making, gambling, and anti-Islamic websites. The NTC also claimed that there are no political websites on the database of blocked websites (16).
Although the National Telecommunication Corporation is widely believed to be solely responsible for websites blocking it is not. The Ministry of Interior has a special department called the "Community Security Police" which is concerned with public morality including what is available on the internet in Sudan (17). A decision to block a website is issued by the government and is implemented by submitting a report to companies or website host by the executive and judicial powers (18).
The Sudanese press has accused the NTC General Manager Al-Tayeb Mostafa of being responsible for the websites blocking resolution. They claim he did so because of his extremist religious ideas (19). Mostafa responded that "We do not apologize for our religion and values. Freedom is "tolerant" but not more than religion". At the same debate, he announced that NTC will block ‘anything confronting religion and Islamic values', and called for each Sudanese citizen to do the same (20).
Like many other Arab Governments Sudan claims that its blocking targets pornographic websites in order to preserve social values yet extends this to political websites and others for ideological reasons in order suppress dissent and preserve its power.
On 6 July 2004 , shortly after blocking devices became operational in Sudan , Sudanese authorities prohibited the ‘Sudanese Online' website ( www.sudaneseonline.com ). Sudanese Online is one of the largest and most important Sudanese dialogue websites. Its aim is to spread knowledge of political and social issues from within Sudan to the Sudanese Diaspora (21). The website administrator; Bakri Abu Bakr told HRinfo that NTC officials had told him that blocking was implemented upon the resolution of Internal Security Service, revealing that Security Service also plays a role in websites blocking policy (22). Despite the blocking decision users inside Sudan were able to access the website through the service provider Free Net (23). The privileges given to this company in respect with not binding by blocking rules within Sudan even for pornographic websites is surprising. (24). A few days later, the website was unblocked for the first time (25). Amnesty International issued a report on Sudan clarifying that the main reason behind this website being blocked is the debates on internal Sudanese issues in it, particularly the Darfur crisis (26).
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRinfo), in July 10 th , 2004 , issued a press release to condemn the blocking of www.sudaneseonline.com . The press release stated that such blocking is an obvious violation for the freedom of expression and information exchange. HRinfo, subsequently called upon Sudanese authorities to immediately unblock the website in compliance with Article 19 of The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which guarantees the right to freedom of expression; including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, in writing or in print or through any media (27).
The Sudanese writer Mohsen Khaled has had two novels; Human Coordinates [ Ehdathiat Al-Insan ] and The Secret Life of Things [ Al-Hayat Al-Seria Lil-Ashia' ] published by Al-Saki Publishing House, confiscated. Afterward these books were banned the Minister of Culture issued a resolution to prohibit the works of the author which are posted online (28). This prohibition was extended to the new novel by the same writer; entitled " Timo Lilit " which he published on web forums (29).
It is noteworthy that the war launched against Khaled's works that were posted online came as a result of an inciting article written by a Sudanese journalist addressing the Minister of Information and calling upon him to prohibit the novel because it denigrated Sudanese society. The journalist considered it ‘the worst novel in the history of Sudanese literature'. It was after this article was published that the minister of Information blocked the website with the novel on. The Minister also issued a press release in which it stated: ‘We blocked the website containing the writings of the so-called Mohsen Khaled because we care for the beliefs and moralities of our society. Our religion orders us to propagate for virtue and prevent vice (30).
This example from Sudan is repeated on different levels all over the Arab world. Claims that it is ‘society' that the government seeks to protect are particularly strange in because of its diverse population, ethnically, religiously, culturally and linguistically (there are some 115 local dialects) (31) Despite this the governing authorities attempt to impose only one world view that of the Islamic National Front, this policy is extended by blocking and censoring alternative vies on the internet.
In May 2005 Al-Wafaq , a Sudanese newspaper published excerpts from a book entitled "The Unknown in the Life of Prophet" written by ‘Al-Makrizy' (a pseudonym). The book was posted on different websites a long time ago. When the book was published in Al-Wafaq it aroused outrage, violent protests and demonstration against the owner and editor of the newspaper, Mohamed Taha Mohamed Ahmed (32). Demonstrators called for the journalist to be charged of apostasy (33). The Public Authority of Telecommunication (PAT) responded immediately by blocking what they called "Al-Makrizy websites" which was said to contain ‘falsehoods' (34). The released statements did not mention the names of such websites. Al-Makrizy's book is published on many other websites. There are no accurate statistics about the number of the websites blocked by PAT in this case. The Sudanese Islamic Fiqh Academy praised the blocking resolution and considered it "a good step in defense of Islam and the prophet of Islam" (35).
These represent the first examples of the blocking of Sudanese websites after years of freedom. This censorship and blocking has cost the state more than one billion pounds (36). In less than a year websites have been blocked that are not within the already restrictive bounds set by the Sudanese, including political websites, literary novels as well as many other websites that posted an ideologically debatable book which the Sudanese government considered offensive to the Prophet. It is certain that the telecommunications corporation which described the principle of blocking on its official website as "Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice," (37) will find a justification for the blocking of more websites in Sudan .
It is worth mentioning here the confession of NTC on its official website that it has blocked some ordinary translation websites because officials discovered that some of these websites could be used to overcome blocking (38).
Internet Cafés
Internet cafés managers say that most of their visitors are youth, 30% of them are students. The same sources monitored that the purposes of visits are ranging between study and entertainment (30%), research (15%), emailing (40%) (39). The percentage of female visitors is 40% which is relatively high in comparison with other Arab countries. The average time each visitor spends per visit ranges between one and two hours (40).
Despite the absence of information on the mechanisms of censorship and official supervision on these cafes, some press releases revealed that police forces has a special sector called Community Security's Police (CSP) which is responsible for monitoring internet cafes (41).
An official from the CSP asserted that internet cafés and show clubs participated greatly in spreading the culture of sex and subsequently increased the rate of unemployment among youth (42). The same official said that cafes are good places for spreading infectious diseases, including AIDS. He also mentioned that in 2001 CSP filed 127 claims against internet cafés in relation with obscene and immoral practices. In 2003, the CSP filed 80 similar claims; according to the same official (43).
Another CSP official asserted that they have 16 stations working permanently on following up the use of computers in cyber cafes (44). These stations monitored that some internet cafes dedicated computers to browse pornographic websites and to watch pornographic videos. This is illegal according to the police and upon the criminal law the accused should be trialed. The stipulated penalties are subject to the estimation of the judge and ranges between fine, whipping, and stoning. It is not clear to what extent is this punishment implemented but it simply reveals the cruelty that a citizen might suffer just because of using the internet.
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1-Mohamed Omar, African Confernce on the Internet and Telecommunications 200 documents, http://www.itu.int/africainternet2000/countryreports/sdn_e.htm (visited on 18 May 2006 )
2-Rasha Kashan, Between War and Peace, BBC website, http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/arabic/middle_east_news/newsid_4159000/4159469.... (visited on 21 May 2006 )
3-International Telecommuincation Union, Arab Regional Office, Sudan , Basic Information, http://www.ituarabic.org/arab_country_report.asp?arab_country_code=9 (visited on 23 April 2006 )
4-National Telecommunication Corporation, http://www.ntc.org.sd/ntc/ntc_func.htm (visited on 29 May 2006 )
5- Bab website, Phone for Each House in Sudan , http://www.bab.com/articles/full_article.cfm?id=3707 (visited on 29 May 2006 )
6-Sudanet website, http://www.sudanet.net/new/arabic/about_sudanet.htm (visited on 29 May 2006 )
7-Maktoob Moheet Network, Sudan Eleminates Telecommunication Monopoly, http://maktoob.moheet.com/cunt_show.asp?lol=1237655 (visited on 30 May 2006 )
8-SudaTel website, http://www.sudatel.net/Views/SiteviewArt.php?ID=120 (visited on 29 May 2006 )
9-International Telecommuincation Union, Arab Regional Office, Sudan , Basic Information, http://www.ituarabic.org/arab_country_report.asp?arab_country_code=9 (visited on 23 April 2006 )
10-International Telecommuincation Union, Arab Regional Office, Sudan , Basic Information, http://www.ituarabic.org/arab_country_report.asp?arab_country_code=9 (visited on 23 April 2006
11-Internet World Statistics website, http://internetworldstats.com/stats1.htm#africa (visited on 1 June 2006 )
12-Maktoob Moheet Network, Sudanese Censorship on Pornographic Websites, http://maktoob.moheet.com/cunt_show.asp?lol=1136909 (visited on 30 May 2006 )
13-Maktoob Moheet Network, Sudanese Censorship on Pornographic Websites, http://maktoob.moheet.com/cunt_show.asp?lol=1136909 (visited on 30 May 2006
14-National Telecommunication Corporation website, Filtering Information and Blocking Websites Services, http://www.ntc.org.sd/filtering/filtering.htm (visited on 31 May 2006 )
15-National Telecommunication Corporation website, Filtering Information and Blocking Websites Services, http://www.ntc.org.sd/filtering/filtering.htm (visited on 31 May 2006 )
16-National Telecommunication Corporation website, Filtering Information and Blocking Websites Services, http://www.ntc.org.sd/filtering/filtering.htm (visited on 31 May 2006 )
17-Al-Sahafa Newspaper, Government and Illusionary Protocols, http://alsahafa.info/news/index.php?type=3&id=2147489545 (visited on 1 June 2006 )
18-Al-Sahafa Newspaper, Government and Illusionary Protocols, http://alsahafa.info/news/index.php?type=3&id=2147489545 (visited on 1 June 2006 )
19-Al-Sahafa Newspaper, Al-Sahafa on the hot line with NTC General Manager, Sheikh Yousuf and Abdul Rahaman Abu Idris, http://alsahafa.info/news/index.php?type=3&id=2147485796 (visited on 30 May 2006)
20-Al-Sahafa Newspaper, Al-Sahafa on the hot line with NTC General Manager, Sheikh Yousuf and Abdul Rahaman Abu Idris, http://alsahafa.info/news/index.php?type=3&id=2147485796 (visited on 30 May 2006)
21-The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, Sudan : Blocking Sudanese Online Website Violates The Right to Freedom of Expression, 10 July 2004 , http://www.hrinfo.net/press/04/pr040710.shtml (visited on 2 June 2006 )
22-The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, Sudan : Blocking Sudanese Online Website Violates The Right to Freedom of Expression, 10 July 2004 , http://www.hrinfo.net/press/04/pr040710.shtml (visited on 2 June 2006 )
23-Posted by " Sheba " on the Public Forum of Sudanese Online, http://67.15.64.119/cgi-bin/sdb/2bb.cgi?seq=msg&board=95&msg=1089314850&... (visited on 30 May 2006 )
24-Posted by " Sheba " on the Public Forum of Sudanese Online, http://67.15.64.119/cgi-bin/sdb/2bb.cgi?seq=msg&board=95&msg=1089314850&... (visited on 30 May 2006 )
25-Posted by " Sheba " on the Public Forum of Sudanese Online, http://67.15.64.119/cgi-bin/sdb/2bb.cgi?seq=msg&board=95&msg=1089314850&... (visited on 30 May 2006)
26-Amnesty International, Sudan Frightening and Denial, http://ara.controlarms.org/library/Index/ARAAFR541012004?open&of=ARA-2AF (visited on 1 June 2006)
27-The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, Sudan : Blocking Sudanese Online Website Violates The Right to Freedom of Expression, 10 July 2004, http://www.hrinfo.net/press/04/pr040710.shtml (visited on 23 April 2006)
28-Shaza Mostafa, Novelist Mohsen Khaled Confiscated on Print and Blocked Online in Sudan , Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, 19 October 2005, http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=19&issue=9822&article=329036 (visited on 29 May 2006)
29-Shaza Mostafa, Novelist Mohsen Khaled Confiscated on Print and Blocked Online in Sudan , Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, 19 October 2005, http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=19&issue=9822&article=329036 (visited on 29 May 2006)
30-Shaza Mostafa, Novelist Mohsen Khaled Confiscated on Print and Blocked Online in Sudan , Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, 19 October 2005, http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=19&issue=9822&article=329036 (visited on 29 May 2006)
31-The Cultural Consultancy of Sudan Embassy in UAE
32-Ismael Adam, a demonstration in protest on publishing "The Unknown in Prophet's Life" book by Al-Wafaq newspaper, Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&issue=9652&article=296928 (visited on 26 May 2006)
33-Ismael Adam, a demonstration in protest on publishing "The Unknown in Prophet's Life" book by Al-Wafaq newspaper, Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&issue=9652&article=296928 (visited on 26 May 2006
34-Sudanese Online, Islamic Fiqh Academy Blocks Al-Makrizy Websites which Contains Falsehoods, 31 May 2005, http://www.sudaneseonline.com/anews2005/may31-57499.shtml (visited on 29 May 2006)
35-Sudanese Online, Islamic Fiqh Academy Blocks Al-Makrizy Websites which Contains Falsehoods, 31 May 2005, http://www.sudaneseonline.com/anews2005/may31-57499.shtml (visited on 29 May 2006)
36-Ismael Adam, a demonstration in protest on publishing "The Unknown in Prophet's Life" book by Al-Wafaq newspaper, Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper, http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&issue=9652&article=296928 (visited on 26 May 2006
37-National Telecommunication Corporation website, Filtering Information and Blocking Websites Services, http://www.ntc.org.sd/filtering/filtering.htm (visited on 31 May 2006)
38-National Telecommunication Corporation website, Filtering Information and Blocking Websites Services, http://www.ntc.org.sd/filtering/filtering.htm (visited on 31 May 2006)
39-Ali Al-Amin, Cyber Cafes Invade Khartoum Streets, Bab Website, 19 May 2001, http://www.bab.com/news/full_news.cfm?id=2923 (visited on 1 June 2006)
40-Ali Al-Amin, Cyber Cafes Invade Khartoum Streets, Bab Website, 19 May 2001, http://www.bab.com/news/full_news.cfm?id=2923 (visited on 1 June 2006
41-Al-Sahafa Newspaper, Government and Illusionary Protocols, http://alsahafa.info/news/index.php?type=3&id=2147489545 (visited on 1 June 2006 )
42-Al-Ra'y Al-Aam newspaper, More than 127 communiqué against cyber cafes, Police Major Yousuf Mosaed of Community Security Police, http://www.rayaam.net/22004/04/03/mono/mono.htm (visited on 2 June 2006 )
43-Al-Ra'y Al-Aam newspaper, More than 127 communiqué against cyber cafes, Police Major Yousuf Mosaed of Community Security Police, http://www.rayaam.net/22004/04/03/mono/mono.htm (visited on 2 June 2006 )
44-Major Salah Mahran, Information Department Manager at Community Security Police, Al-Sahafa Newspaper, Government and Illusionary Protocols, http://alsahafa.info/news/index.php?type=3&id=2147489545 (visited on 1 June 2006)
