Jerry Nguwa, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya
The DR Congo has banned French international radio broadcaster - Radio France International (RFI) from operating. The ban follows alleged continuous broadcast of 'provocative statements' against the government, Congolese officials say. It affects mainly the Oriental Province's Ituri.
The Congolese Intelligence Service carried out the operation following public complaint by the Congolese Minister for Communication who is also the government spokesman, Lambert Mende Omalanga.
The minister threatened to shut down RFI in the entire DRC if the French broadcaster continued to air what he called “provocative statements”. The minister claimed that some programmed aired on RFI alleged that the DRC cannot be ruled from Kinshasa, which poses serious security threat in the country.
The personal assistant to the minister confirmed the story and reiterated that if necessary, the Congolese government will shut down all foreign media that threatens national integrity.
Recently, Rwanda banned the BBC local service within its boundaries.
Elections: Wole Soyinka warns Mugabe, Wade03/02
AU elections rescheduled for June in Malawi01/02
Senegal in turmoil as protest intensifies01/02
Zimbabwe’s inflation still favourable -…01/02
AFCON 2012: Sudan qualifies after four decades31/01
Senegalese opposition to intensify protests31/01
Malawi: Rights coalition condemn stripping of…30/01
Kenya to deworm five million children annually30/01
