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Rebel Group Closes Radio Station

UN Integrated Regional Information Networks
NEWS
December 9, 2002
Posted to the web December 9, 2002
Nairobi
The rebel Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) closed down a
radio station based in Bukavu, South Kivu, on Sunday, after it broadcast a
programme criticising the rebel authorities' introduction of compulsory number
plates for all vehicles.
A statement issued by the secretary-general of the Observatoire des conflits
pour la paix en Afrique des Grands Lacs, Lufungulo Safari, which protested the
closure of Radio Maendeleo (Radio Progress), said RCD-Goma should respect the
right to freedom of expression and stop putting "selfish interests" before
those of the common good.
It said the radio station had broadcast statements by people saying that the
introduction of the new number plates several weeks ago had been inopportune
and costly, and had had no positive impact on the people of eastern Democratic
Republic of the Congo. RCD-Goma had seized the offending tape after the
broadcast, Safari added.

   

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