The FM relays of Radio France International (RFI) in DR Congo have been subject to irregular cuts since Thursday evening. According to the Congolese Minister of Communication and Media, Lambert Mende this is because RFI reported on the “swearing in” of the self-proclaimed “president elect” Etienne Tshisekedi.
“The authorities have a concern that was expressed yesterday (Thursday) to RFI, because we found that RFI has become virtually the voice of the UDPS [the Union for the Democracy and Social Progress, Etienne Tshisekedi's party], Lambert Mende told AFP. “They read out the leaflets of the UDPS and gave directions to attend the ‘inauguration’, which was scheduled for Friday in a stadium in Kinshasa, before the authorities there forbid any event, said Mr Mende.
He said he contacted the RFI correspondent in the DRC to explain that the Higher Audiovisual Council (CSAC) and the Congolese government authorities “were astonished that RFI is involved in the preparation of an almost totally illegal action which was likely to disrupt public order.” The CSAC could not be reached late on Friday afternoon.
Mr Tshisekedi considers himself ‘elected president’ and took the ‘oath’ on Friday at his home in Kinshasa, after rejecting the re-election of Joseph Kabila on 28 November for a second term as head of state.
From July 2009 to October 2010, the Congolese authorities completely cut the signal of RFI, accusing it of “demoralizing” the army. RFI is one of the most followed international media in Francophone Africa, including Congo, a vast central African country with a population estimated at 68 million.
(Source: AFP via Media Network Weblog)
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