The media regulator in the Democratic Republic of Congo has ordered the local office of satellite television provider CANAL+ to remove Rwandan channels from its bouquet airing in the country.
The suspension will run for a period of 90 days and could potentially be renewed depending on circumstances, the regulator, CSAC RDC, said in a statement.
Kinshasa accuses Rwandan channels of inciting civil disobedience, among many allegations, the Chronicles site reports.
CANAL+ bouquet has about 10 Rwandan TV channels, including Rwandan state broadcaster RBA, that air news and commentary programs about the ongoing war in eastern DR Congo, the news site adds.
#URGENT! A sa session extraordinaire , Le @csac_rdc a décidé de la coupure du signal des chaînes audiovisuelles rwandaises émettant en RDC sur le bouquet CanalSat pour une durée de 90 jours renouvelables selon l’évolution de la situation. Stricte application. pic.twitter.com/QZlbMGgUdY
— CSAC RDC (@csac_rdc) February 7, 2023
DR Congo, the US and UN experts accuse Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group in the eastern part of the country.
Rwanda has denied this and blames the Congolese government for the unrest in mineral-rich eastern DR Congo.