Radio show axed over military criticism

Criticism of the DRC army has seen a prominent morning radio show taken off the air, while an artist has promised to be more diplomatic in the future when talking about the fight against M23 rebels. ‘There is no war. We are beaten, we are slapped, we are made to do whatever they (M23) want,’ the eccentric rhumba music stalwart Antoine Mumba said about the war between government troops and rebels. The army was ‘weak’, he said. News24 reports that Mumba, who last year sang praises of President Felix Tshisekedi, was being interviewed by journalist Jessy Kabasele on the Le Panier show aired by the state-controlled Congolese National Radio and Television last week. The Higher Council for Audiovisual and Communication said Olomide's comments were ‘in violation of its directive relating to broadcasts on the progress of military operations at the war front’. Kasabele's show was shelved, and the station suspended him. After meeting council, Mumba expressed regret, saying ‘I am also an ambassador of Congolese culture and should be a little more diplomatic in my speech, even if what I say is true and founded’. The interview came a week after 25 soldiers were given the death penalty for fleeing the battle with M23 rebels.

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