Nairobi — The rebel Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) closed down a radio station based in Bukavu, South Kivu, on Sunday, after it broadcast a programme criticising the rebel authorities' introduction of compulsory number plates for all vehicles.

A statement issued by the secretary-general of the Observatoire des conflits pour la paix en Afrique des Grands Lacs, Lufungulo Safari, which protested the closure of Radio Maendeleo (Radio Progress), said RCD-Goma should respect the right to freedom of expression and stop putting "selfish interests" before those of the common good.

It said the radio station had broadcast statements by people saying that the introduction of the new number plates several weeks ago had been inopportune and costly, and had had no positive impact on the people of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. RCD-Goma had seized the offending tape after the broadcast, Safari added.