The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has withdrawn “all reporting permits” granted to international news network, Al Jazeera’s journalists in the country.
According to an excerpt from the letter addressed to the director of the Qatari media channel, the government have revoked the permits granted to Al Jazeera’s reporters for holding an interview with the M23 rebels.
“I hereby inform you of the immediate withdrawal of all reporting permits in the Democratic Republic of Congo, currently valid, which were granted to your team,” wrote the Minister of Communication and Media Patrick Muyaya in a letter addressed to the current Director General of Al Jazeeraa, Mostefa Souag at the channel’s headquarters in Doha.
The move comes after the 24-hour news channel recently aired an exclusive interview with M23 Rebel Movement’s leader Bertrand Bisimwa.
Since late 2021, the anti-government armed group has seized vast swathes of territory in eastern DRC, which is rich in natural resources and torn apart by conflict for 30 years.
