The state-run radio service in Juba is presently silent after reports that security personnel deployed to the station, according to a listener in the city.
This comes after a crisis broke out within SSTV involving a dispute between the radio and TV director and the minister of information.
A letter – published here – in the name of SSTV Director General Khamis Abdel-Latif has been circulated to media houses. The letter says that he cannot work in a ‘corrupt’ ministry and accuses the information minister of a ‘vendetta’ against him and interference in his work.
Although he now denies resigning and has denied the authenticity of the letter, Abdel-Latif has confirmed that he clashed with Minister of Information Michael Makuei and challenged whether the minister has the authority to remove him, given that he was appointed by presidential order and not ministerial order.
He also said the premises of the state radio were guarded by National Security Service personnel, saying this amounted to Makuei closing the station. “He closed the office by National Security,” he said.
Meanwhile, the state television remains on-air, but is just replaying older programmes.