Humanitarians Plea With Elon Musk, Starlink To Maintain Aid In Sudan: Report

Front-line humanitarian organizations in Sudan are urging Elon Musk’s Starlink to continue its operations to support millions amid an internet blackout.

Nearly 100 humanitarian groups penned an open letter expressing concerns about Starlink’s potential shutdown in Sudan.

The organizations, including the Norwegian Refugee Council and Save the Children, emphasized the critical role of internet access in delivering life-saving aid to civilians trapped in conflict zones.

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The plea comes in the wake of fears that Starlink might restrict its services due to licensing issues, as indicated in emails sent to customers worldwide, according to a report from Bloomberg.

The conflict in Sudan has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with an estimated death toll of up to 150,000 people since April 2023.

Ongoing violence has led to widespread displacement, making it the largest such crisis globally, according to the UN.

The involvement of external actors, including the United Arab Emirates and Iran, exacerbates the situation, hampering efforts to broker a ceasefire.

Both government and rebel forces in Sudan have been implicated in disrupting mainstream internet services, affecting telecommunications companies such as MTN Group Ltd and Sudatel Telecom Group Ltd.

In response to Starlink’s warnings, humanitarian organizations are advocating for the restoration of connectivity across Sudan.

Efforts are underway to engage both the conflicting parties and licensed telecom providers in resolving the internet blackout crisis.

Starlink’s predicament in Sudan follows an investigative report by Bloomberg, which highlighted the widespread use of Musk’s satellite network in regions with legal restrictions.

The ease of access to Starlink technology on the black market raises concerns about its potential misuse and underscores the need for robust regulatory oversight.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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