The internet has been partially restored in Sudan, 24 days after online connectivity was cut off following a military coup. However, restrictions on social media remain in place.

While many online users scrambled for ways to circumvent it, experts said the shutdown affected “connectivity at the network layer and cannot be worked around with the use of circumvention” software or VPNs.

It came into effect on 25 October when the military coup kicked in, with several government officials detained, including Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who has remained under house arrest and is being pressured to accept a post in a proposed military-led administration.

NetBlocks, which monitors global connectivity disruptions, posted a tweet on Thursday evening: “Internet partially restored in Sudan on 25th day of post-coup blackout; real-time metrics show significant rise in cellular connectivity from 4:30 pm local time; it is unclear if service will be retained, or for how long.”

The organisation added: “VPN services are now effective and can be used to work around the restrictions” on social media accessibility.

Following the restoration of connectivity, users began posting comments online – fuelled by an earlier court order to arrest executives from ISPs who failed to restore internet access.

Anti-coup protests sparked by the ousting of the Prime Minister have continued, with activists calling on citizens to start posting videos and information around the events of the coup and the military crackdown on protestors.