Mobile phone networks are down in much of Upper Nile State including the state capital Malakal after clashes between the opposition and forces loyal to Salva Kiir.
A government official in Juba who hails from the Malakal area said Wednesday morning that networks were down in the entire state except in Renk and Falluj.
It was initially not clear whether some communications infrastructure such as phone towers or generators may have been damaged in fighting, but according to President Kiir’s spokesman Ateny Wek the shutdown was deliberate.
Asked whether the network cuts in Malakal were done by government order, he confirmed this in remarks at a press conference earlier this afternoon.
“Anywhere in the world governments have the power to do this. If there is insecurity it can shut the network – you cannot leave the network up in a place where there are rebels, so you have to cut the network where they are,” he said.
During his statements today he also blamed the rebels for inciting panic among the population leading to the boat accident two days ago in which more than 200 people drowned in the Nile while leaving Malakal.
He said the accident happened because of “unnecessary panic caused by the enemies of the state,” while also acknowledging that on the following day the state capital “underwent several attacks” which were repulsed.