Good News Radio resumed broadcasting on Thursday evening after the Lakes State government reassured the institutions of security.
The Catholic radio station in Rumbek was off air for five days following the attack from a section of Catholic youths who wanted to sack all expatriate staff at the station, including the director, arguing that they were occupying “national vacancies”.The call to resume broadcasting came from the Governor of Lakes State through the Minister of Social Development, Arkangelo Deng Kuok, after the diocesan Administrator of Rumbek, Fr. Fernando Colombo, met governor Chol Tong Mayay.
Mr Deng told Good News Radio yesterday that Governor wanted the radio to resume broadcasting, urging the director to continue his duties at the station.
He apologised to the staff of Good News Radio for the unfortunate attack on Christmas Eve when one of the female workers was beaten by the youths.
He called on listeners of the Rumbek-based community radio to continue tuning into Good News.
Mr Deng condemned attitude of the youth, explaining that the Church has no foreigners but only sisters and brothers.
He recalled that there are numerous South Sudanese living in other countries and the behaviour of the youth who wanted to expel expat people could have far reaching consequences, including repatriation of South Sudanese from other countries.
Mr Deng challenged the Catholic youths to express their needs for employment to the government institutions, explaining that it is not the duty of the Church to give jobs.
He recognized the vitally important role of the youth to build South Sudan, cautioning them against the misguided view that the nation can be built by expelling foreigners.
Four security officers guarded Good News Radio premises on Thursday night, ahead of a meeting between the government authorities and some of the youth leaders that took place this morning.