10 01 12 CPJ Press Freedom Online DRC soldiers attack Radio Tujenge Kabambare

Soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of
Congo (known by the French acronym FARDC) stormed community station Radio
Tujenge Kabambare on January 2 and ransacked its studios and confiscated
equipment, including computers, generators, solar panels, mobile phones, and
recorders, according to the station's director and the Congolese press freedom
group OLPA. The soldiers detained the head of programs,
Senghor Fundi Kamulete, and technician Shabani Bin Shabani for a few hours in a
military camp, where they were beaten with rifle butts, OLPA said. Fundi and
Shabani are hospitalized and being treated for injuries to the head, chest, and
arms, the station's director, Gekalom Kalonda Mukelenge, told CPJ.

 

Mukelenge said another group of soldiers raided his home, which is near
the station, and accused him of hiding a member of the M23 rebel group. The
soldiers assaulted members of his family and ransacked the house, he said.

 

The reason behind the attacks was not immediately clear. Mukelenge could
not point to any sensitive recent stories, but said the station has in the past
aired reports critical of the military, including interviews with local
citizens accusing soldiers of extortion at arbitrary checkpoints.

 

"We condemn the attack on Radio Tujenge Kabambare and its
journalists, who have a right to cover the military's activities without
obstruction or intimidation," said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed
Keita. "We call on Congolese authorities to hold their soldiers fully
accountable under the law."

 

Congolese government spokesman Lambert Mende told CPJ he received
information about the attacks today and that an investigation was under way.
"I have addressed an urgent note to my colleague, the minister of defense.
Tomorrow, I will have an idea of measures to take," he said. "This is
not acceptable. The army is not tasked with leading police operations. We will
shed light on this."