AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - South Sudan's Bakhita Radio can resume broadcasts, but without political issues

Juba (Agenzia Fides) - South Sudan's Bakhita Radio, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Juba, capital of South Sudan, can resume broadcasts. This was reported to CISA Agency in Nairobi by the radio director, Albino Tokwaro, who pointed out that the authorities have forbidden the radio to cover "political matters". On August 16, the local authorities had forced the closure of the radio and arrested the chief editor, Ochan David Nicholas (later released). Bakhita Radio was taken off the air for a story that the government said blamed its troops for new fighting in Unity state (see Fides 18/08/2014). "The keys were officially handed to us on September 12 and now we are waiting for the Archbishop’s approval to resume broadcasting", said the radio director, adding that due to security agent warnings, "the radio will focus only on programs related to development and education".
According to Fides sources, since the outbreak of the political crisis in South Sudan, in December, 2013, there have been increasing pressures on local media. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/09/2014)