South Sudan’s digital revolution is moving forward, bringing immense opportunities for connectivity, economic growth, and the digitisation of public services. Yet, this progress necessitates stronger safeguards to ensure that the interconnected digital world is built on a foundation of trust, security, and privacy.
On October 3, 2025, the South Sudan Chapter took a significant step in reinforcing these safeguards by proudly hosting a successful gathering at Scenius Hub to mark Global Encryption Day (E2EE Day 2025).
A Unified Call for Strong Encryption
The event convened a diverse array of stakeholders: representatives from civil society, academia, media, and government. Their unified presence underscored a shared commitment to exploring the critical role of strong encryption in protecting privacy and maintaining security online for all citizens.
- Setting the Tone: The gathering was opened by the Chapter President, Mr. Joseph Abuni Gama, whose remarks set a clear agenda for a safer and more open Internet.
- Keynote Insights: The importance of strong encryption was reinforced by Eņg Chuol Buok, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of the South Sudan Computer Incident Response Team (SS-CIRT). The insights shared reaffirmed encryption’s necessity in safeguarding privacy, security, and trust in the digital space.
Understanding Protection and Building Trust
A core focus of the event was to demystify encryption and highlight its tangible benefits for the public. Participants benefited from an insightful session led by Robert Ariik, a Tier III SOC Analyst at the SS-CIRT.
The session, titled “Understanding Encryption and Its Benefits,” powerfully illustrated how end-to-end encryption is more than just a technical measure—it is a cornerstone of digital dignity. It strengthens trust in online platforms, protects users from malicious actors, and ensures the safety of sensitive communication in our increasingly interconnected world.
The Road Ahead: From Dialogue to Digital Resilience
Just as regional forums like Internet Society emphasize the need for digital accountability alongside connectivity, the South Sudan E2EE Day gathering was a powerful act of local advocacy. It moved the conversation from theory to concrete, national action.
The consensus from the day is clear: Privacy must be a lived right, not a legal abstraction. By educating stakeholders and promoting robust, unbreakable encryption standards, we are taking a vital step forward in ensuring that technology serves as a bridge for inclusion and a tool that upholds human rights.
Building on the success of this event, our chapter is committed to advancing collaboration with national regulators, civil society networks, and the private sector to promote policies and literacy programs that safeguard privacy and combat cyber vulnerabilities responsibly.
The movement for a secure digital future continues, and South Sudan is at the forefront of the call to action.
