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DRC suspends Al Jazeera for airing interview with M23 leader

Mr Bertrand Bisimwa, M23 President (C) being escorted after the Press Conference in Bunagana town, Rutshuru territory on Saturday. Photo | URN

What you need to know:

  • As the war in North Kivu between the M23 and the Congolese army intensifies, coverage of conflict zones and related issues in the DRC is currently severely restricted

The Democratic Republic of Congo has suspended broadcasts by the Qatar-based Al Jazeera network for 90 days “on a precautionary basis”.

The decision by the Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel et de la Communication (CSAC, French for broadcasting and communication council) came on Monday, three days after the Information Minister Patrick Muyaya announced the withdrawal of accreditation for Al Jazeera journalists in the DRC.

The CSAC accused the Qatar-based channel of “broadcasting an interview with a leader of the M23 terrorist group, without cross-checking sources or contradictory opinions, with the aim of destabilising the institutions of the DRC”.

The CSAC statement calls on cable TV companies operating in the DRC to “strictly respect” the decision. CSAC also calls on “the public prosecutor at the Council of State and the National Satellite Telecommunications Network to contribute to the proper execution of the decision”.

Last Wednesday, CSAC also issued a warning to the French media (France 24, Radio France Internationale and TV5 Monde), which it criticised for “regularly highlighting the alleged advances of terrorist groups active on our territory, while at the same time undermining the security of our country”.

As the war in North Kivu between the M23 and the Congolese army intensifies, coverage of conflict zones and related issues in the DRC is currently severely restricted.

Last week the government warned journalists and media outlets of tough penalties, including the death penalty, for reporting on the M23.

According to the Congolese authorities, the Al Jazeera’s interview with M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa was “unacceptable”.

The interview is believed to have triggered the Ministry of Communication to withdraw the accreditation of the Al Jazeera journalists.

“Giving a voice to terrorists is tantamount to apology for terrorism, which is totally unacceptable,” Mr Muyaya said.