Radio suspension lifted, stations end boycott of state functions

Burundi's state regulatory body, the National Communication Council, has lifted the seven-day ban the minister of communications imposed on the private broadcaster, Radio Isanganiro, on 13 September.

This allowed the Isanganiro to resume broadcasting on Thursday, Radio Bonesha reported. In response to these developments, Radio Bonesha and another private broadcaster, Radio publique africaine (RPA), ended their boycott on reporting all state functions. They had taken that measure in solidarity with Radio Isanganiro

Communications Minister Albert Mbonerane had signed the suspending order because the Radio Isanganiro had interviewed the spokesman of Agathon Rwasa's Forces nationales de liberation. The spokesman, on Radio Isanganiro's "Mosaique" programme, had commented on the failure of recent talks in Kampala between President Domitien Ndayizeye and the rebel Conseil national pour la defense de la democratie-Forces pour la defense de la democratie faction led by Pierre Nkurunziza.

Mbonerane was quoted as saying that Radio Isanganiro had contravened the government's ban on all interviews with Rwasa's FNL, the only rebel faction that has so far refused to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with the government. [Full item on Government slaps seven-day suspension on radio] [Also see Radio stations boycott state functions]

Bonesha reported on Friday that the communications council had acknowledged RPA's suspension. The radio said the council had found that RPA's attitude towards Radio Isanganiro's suspension was "reprehensible" and that it would decide on the duration of the ban once RPA offered its defence.