Sudan warns it will send cyber jihadists to curb protests

THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT has warned protestors that it will send out cyber jihadists to "crush" anti-government sentiment.

The National Congress Party took power in Sudan in 1989 after a military coup, but now its 22 year reign is under threat as dissent grows across the country.

Protests have been ongoing since January, similar to those held in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Syria, and the Internet is a major tool being used by protestors to organise anti-government campaigns. The protests have been small, but the statement from the government suggests it fears that dissent will grow, particularly through mediums such as Facebook and Twitter.

A senior official for the Sudanese government, Mandur al-Mahdi, said that it had a cyber battalion in place to lead its online defence operations, according to the BBC.

It is not clear if this is an empty threat or if the National Congress Party really is mounting a cyber war to retain power, but Internet censorship is a common tactic used by repressive regimes to curb protests.

The southern part of Sudan, led by the People's Liberation Movement, is set to become independent in July. This might lead to further upheaval in the north of the country. µ