A plainclothes security officer visited this morning Bakhita Radio and Liberty FM, asked the directors to turn the radio stations off air, close the premises and accompany him to Southern Sudan Police Service headquarters.
SECURITY SHUTS BAKHITA AND LIBERTY OFF AIR AND SUMMONS DIRECTORS
Sr. Cecilia Sierra is the directress of Bakhita Radio. She wrote on a report she sent to SCR News that about 10:10 AM an unidentified plainclothes officer later on named Major Paul, accompanied by three armed policemen, entered Bakhita Radio, asked the directress to turn everything off, including the transmitter, close the station, give the keys and accompany him to the Police headquarters.
Sr. Cecilia met Albino Tokwaro, the director of Liberty FM, in the police van who was also summoned.
At the police headquarters, Chief of Police Major General Johnson Losuk told Mr. Tokwaro that the interview Liberty FM broadcasted with independent candidate for governor of Central Equatoria, Alfred Ladu Gore, was unacceptable.
Chief Losuk added that during the elections campaign stations should stick to the presentation of political manifestos and avoid programmes that insult the government and fuel tensions.
The Police chief warned Mr. Tokwaro that if Liberty broadcasts another programme of that kind the station will be closed and broadcasting equipment confiscated.
Then Chief Losuk told Sr. Cecilia to leave without any justification for her summons or the temporary shut down of Bakhita FM.
However, on the way to the station Major Paul warned the directress to stick only to religious programmes and leave out politics in what can be seen as an intimidation move.