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Press Release

South Sudan assures the UN it will not close Radio Miraya

radio_miraya_fm_sudan_liveFeb 21, 2015 (Nyamilepedia) — The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has received assurances from the Government of South Sudan that they will not shut down the operations of the UN’s Radio Miraya.

In a statement made available by the UN’s communications team to Nyamilepedia, the UN has since held a press conference at its New York headquarters to allay fears of possible closure by the South Sudan Government.

Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (SRSG) Ellen Marethe Loej
Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (SRSG) Ellen Marethe Loej

The UN says, “The Head of the UN Mission in that country (South Sudan), Ellen Margrethe Løj, met the country’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting and expressed her concerns following his remarks about shutting down operations of Radio Miraya – the UN radio operating in that country,” The statement read.

The statement further says,  “Ms. Løj received assurances from the Minister that Radio Miraya broadcasts will continue according to UNMISS’ mandate and as stipulated in the Status of Forces Agreement signed between the UN and the Government of South Sudan,” the statement emphasizes.

This week, South Sudan’s Information minister and Government Spokesperson, Michael Makuei Lueth, stunned media in Juba when he warned that he would shut down the United Nations’ Radio Miraya in Juba for broadcasting views of South Sudan’s rebels.

Makuei issued the warning and said he would put into writing his warning to the UN’s Radio Miraya management. He said he was not afraid to close down the UN radio station.

Makuei’s olive branch to the UN has, however, not been extended to local media in South Sudan. According to the renowned international Committee to Protect Journalists, Press freedom in South Sudan has deteriorated significantly since the country gained independence in 2011.

Journalists in South Sudan face rampant detentions, harassment and constant intimidation. The number of publications and media houses either closed down or facing closure is staggering for such a country.

Although South Sudan’s rebels don’t fare any better when it comes to treating journalists, analysts now believe that the media crackdown in South Sudan is fast beginning to resemble the outdated and repressive media tactics of Khartoum in the North.

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3 comments

GatNor February 21, 2015 at 10:01 am

UN is not so popular in the eyes of South Sudan government officials. As a matter of fact UN-Workers are considered rebel sympathizers much like those Makuey called blood suckers. UN just also released a collections of records of violations by South Sudan Government against UN’s NGO, Staffs, and their normal daily operations as 97% of violation against UN had been committed by the government of South Sudan. This is quite true and also the crimes against humanity, war crimes and massacres are not yet released by the African Union’s investigators. The oppositions are looking somewhat as they should exactly appear, absolutely Holy and Angelic compares to the ethnic regime of Salva. it security agents armed forces, Guelweng Militias, loose tribal extremists and their UPDF. Do you see where ICC comes in..

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Pal K. De Manyuek February 21, 2015 at 12:08 pm

This time the international community argued the both waring parties and that will no make Salva kiir understand the world leaders so that to make cessation of ossitility agreement on both parties and in rebel side is read to sign the final peace process and violation still going in government on the rebels positions.

Reply
Gale Force February 21, 2015 at 12:57 pm

The violations by South Sudan Government against UN’s NGO, Staffs, and their normal daily operations is more than 97% as said by UN Chief because Kiir ‘s Goverment has 7 armies operating in South Sudan with different command (SPLA Juba,Gelweng Millitias (GM),Shilluk Militias (SM),Maban Defend force (MDF) UPDF ,SPLA -North and JEM plus.

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