Residents of South Sudan’s Yei River State, which includes Yei, Morobo, Lainya and Kajo-Keji counties, have expressed frustration over the lack of news and programming on FM radio, saying that UN Radio Miraya has gone off air in the state.

The popular Radio Miraya has gone off in the area, residents in the State told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday. Radio Miraya focuses much of its programs on peace, culture and nation building.

A regular listener of the UN-backed radio who identified himself as Ramadan said they are staying with no access to information in the state. “We are not happy with the closure of the radio station,” he said.

Rose Betty, another resident of Yei town, said she is also unhappy with the government’s decision to shutdown Radio Miraya. Betty further said many Yei women need informative programs broadcast on Radio Miraya.

“With the closure of the radio station, we are forced to stay in darkness. We are missing our health and education messages on radio Miraya,” he said.

Radio Miraya was ordered to end its broadcast in March because of "persistent non-compliance and refusal to be regulated" under South Sudan laws.

But the United Nations said it was in talks with South Sudan's government   about the decision.