The head of the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Ellen Løj met with government spokesperson Michael Makuei Lueth yesterday over his threat to shut down UN Radio Miraya.
Løj “expressed her concerns” to Makuei over his threats, a UN statement read, adding that “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 UN did not comment on whether Miraya will continue to broadcast opinions from the various sides of the conflict.
On Monday Makuei said that he would close Miraya following the station’s airing of an interview with Rebecca Garang, wife of late SPLM founder John Garang, who is aligned with the unarmed SPLM-G10 faction.
“Miraya: you are interviewing rebels,” Makuei said. “If it happens again we are shutting you down. And this must be made very clear. We are shutting you down if you interview any rebel here to disseminate his or her plans and policies within South Sudan.”
Related:
‘I will shut down the UN’ says South Sudan’s information minister (17 Feb.)