Sudan will block voice and video calls on Meta’s WhatsApp messenger starting next week, the country’s telecommunications regulator said on Sunday, citing “national security” threats in a country ravaged by war.

The move is a major blow to many Sudanese who rely on the popular app for communication, especially through voice notes and calls, as mobile and internet services have been crippled in large parts of the country, including the Darfur and Kordofan regions, due to destroyed infrastructure.

In a statement, the Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority said it decided to “restrict voice and video call service via the WhatsApp application, effective next Friday, until further notice.”

It described the decision as a “precautionary measure against security threats” taken to preserve national security and the country’s supreme interests.”

The authority clarified that other services on the app, including text messages and group chats, would remain unaffected.

The decision will also significantly impact the many Sudanese living abroad who use WhatsApp’s video call feature to stay connected with their families, thereby avoiding high international call rates. In its statement, the regulator apologised for the measure, thanking subscribers for “prioritizing the nation’s interest over their personal interests.”

The move marks the first time Sudan has specifically blocked services on the widely used messaging platform. The ban places Sudan alongside other countries in the region, such as the United Arab Emirates, which has long-standing restrictions on most internet-based voice and video call services.