In a long-overdue but welcome development, South Sudan has officially joined the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) under the East African Communications Organisation (EACO).
This marks a pivotal milestone for our nation’s cybersecurity efforts and positions us alongside regional neighbors working to create a safer digital environment.
The announcement came during the first-ever EACO Advisory Council meeting held in Juba since independence — a landmark event reflecting South Sudan’s growing commitment to regional digital affairs.
Minister of Information and Communication, Michael Makuei Lueth, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to enhancing ICT infrastructure and fostering cybersecurity cooperation.
This move carries considerable importance. With rising digital threats and an increase in cross-border cyber incidents, no country can afford to operate in isolation.
By adopting the TLP framework, South Sudan’s Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) will now have a secure, encrypted channel to share sensitive cyber threat information with their counterparts in East Africa.
It’s not just about protecting government systems. This initiative benefits banks, telecom operators, NGOs, and private businesses increasingly reliant on digital operations. It fosters trust, enabling swift, coordinated responses to cyberattacks while safeguarding sensitive data.
Regional collaboration is crucial, as emphasized by Uganda’s Minister of ICT, who called for knowledge sharing rather than reinventing the wheel. For South Sudan, this is an opportunity to learn from successful policies like Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda’s broadband strategy while contributing our unique insights.
More than a protocol signature, this moves signals South Sudan’s readiness to catch up with — and actively contribute to — the digital growth narrative in East Africa.
It’s a call for our youth, innovators, and ICT professionals to engage, build capacity, and drive transformation from within.
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. With this timely step, South Sudan has officially entered the regional cybersecurity conversation, and it’s a conversation that must continue.