Arabsat removes Radio Dabanga from its satellite

July 17, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Arab Satellite Communication Organization (Arabsat) has removed the radio station Radio Dabanga from its satellite upon a request from the Sudanese government, said a statement released by the radio on Friday.

Radio Dabanga is a shortwave radio station which serves the Darfur area of western Sudan. It is based in the Netherlands and it has been broadcasting in Arabic and local languages since December 1, 2008.

The radio was the first media outlet to report accusations last November that Sudanese soldiers had raped some 200 women and girls in Tabit, a village 45km south-west of North Darfur capital El-Fasher.

Mohamed Karim Mahmoud, product marketing manager of Arabsat Broadcast Services, said the decision to remove the radio station was based on a formal complaint he had received on the 24th of May 2015 by the Sudanese ministry of information, said a statement issued by the radio station.

“The station is considered to be hostile to the Sudanese government,” said Arabsat in its announcement to stop Radio Dabanga broadcasting.

Asked by the uplink company whether there was any item or programme considered to be hostile to the Sudanese authorities, ArabSat answered ” We note that this complaint concerns the whole radio station [Radion Dabanga], and not to a specific news item”.

Radio Dabanga asked its listeners to follow its programmes everywhere in Sudan on Nilesat 7 degrees frequency 12399 Symbol Rate: 27500 Polarity 6/5.

(ST)