Tension between Kinshasa and Kigali has taken a new dimention as DRC orders CANAL+ to remove all Rwandan channels from decorders dedicated to broadcast in DRC.
According to Congolese state media, the decision was announced by the Superior Audiovisual and Communication Council (CSAC) which ordered Canal+ group to cut signals of the Rwandan audiovisual channels broadcasting on Congolese territory.
This council added that the suspension of Rwandan channels will last for a period of 90 days and will be renewable according to the evolution of the situation.
Kinshasa claims that the decision to suspend Rwandan channels is in reciprocation- that during Pope Francis visit in Kinshasa, Rwanda allegedly jammed radio and Television channels broadcasting from DRC between February 31 and 1. These include RTNC, Télé 50, Digital Congo, Molière, 10ème Rue.
Kinshasa authorities also claim that as Rwanda jammed DRC channels during the Pope’s visit, “the Canal+ group cheerfully let the Rwandan televisions watering the Congolese people with hate speech.”
The Superior Council for Audiovisual and Communication claims that these “Rwandan channels promote hoaxes, incite civil disobedience, general insurrection against the public authority of the DRC and the systematic denigration of national institutions and their leaders, as well as glorification of war.”
“The same press organs apply to demotivate the defense forces of the DRC for the benefit of the M23,”, said CSAC.
