DR Congo has banned Rwandan journals for controversial grounds.
On February 2, 2023, in Kinshasa, it was decided that Rwandan journals, whether video or audio, on the Canalsat Decoder, will no longer be seen or heard on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 90 days.
According to a judgment made by the General Council for the Control of the Media in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (CSAC), on January 31 and February 1, 2023, certain individuals and the control report both indicated that Canal + Rwanda reportedly tampered with footage from Congolese television. Only some of the Congolese who own these Decoders, according to the government’s RTNC, Tele 50, Digital Congo, Molière TV, and 10e rue, claim that what was mentioned is untrue because they are still able to watch the films without any issues.
This conference revealed that while Pope Francis was in Kinshasa, no Congolese newspapers were printed, but Rwandan publications were, and people quickly connected this with how it was inciting them to follow M23 and blame Rwanda.
Closing the Rwandan journals on Canalsat’s Bouquet, a copy of which was sent to President Tshisekedi and approved by the director of Canal+ in Congo, a fellow member, was a decision that was made.
This decision was made as tensions between Rwanda and Congo remain high.
The M23 group, which continues to deprive the Kinshasa army of numerous places, including major towns, is blamed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo on assistance from Rwanda.
Rwanda disputes Kinshasa’s assertions and accuses it of cooperating with the FDLR Terrorist Group, which is mostly made up of those responsible for the 1994 Genocide.
The M23 group disputed Rwanda’s assistance, adamant that the Congolese are the ones battling for their national rights there and that Rwanda does not provide financial aid.
Congo is still making every effort to develop the bond it has previously established with Rwanda.
