Government Bans Equinoxe Radio And TV

By Joe Dinga Pefok

Douala inhabitants were stricken by shock on February 22 and 23, when government, through the Minister of Communication, closed down the popular Douala based Equinoxe TV / Radio station, in rapid succession. 

The tragedy started on February 21, when a decision signed by the Minister of Communication, Jean-Pierre Biyiti bi Essam, closing down Equinoxe TV, was read during the 1 pm newscast over the national station, CRTV (radio). The ministerial decision claimed that the TV station, which had been operating for the last 22 months, had been doing so illegally.

Less than three hours after the decision was read, a group of police officers that included the Head of the Central Police Station No. 1, Commissioner Emile Gousmo, and the Head of GMI N. 2, Commissioner Victor Tanefo, arrived at Equinoxe TV to execute the ministerial decision. They were accompanied by a truck load of anti-riot policemen from the GMI, who were ordered to remain outside the building by their bosses.

In spite of an initial argument put forth by the Managing Director of Equinoxe TV, Séverin Tchounkeu, alongside his lawyers, the police insisted they were out to do their job.
After a prolonged argument, the TV section was sealed, while the offices and studios were left open. Then on February 23, dozens of policemen stormed the radio station and also shut it down without any authorisation, except the same ministerial decision that closed down the TV.

The policemen arrived when the 5 pm news summary was just starting and the anchorpersons were asked out of the station. The Anglophone journalist, Solomon Amabo, who was presenting the first part of news summary, had reportedly just taken the second line, when the officers arrived to seal the place. The police sealed the radio station while the Managing Director and the group's lawyers were in Yaounde in connection with the closure of the TV.

Closing Down "The Voice Of The Voiceless"

Meanwhile, The Editor-in-Chief at Equinoxe Radio, Charles Ako, told The Post that the closure of the Radio and TV stations was a way of closing the voice of the voiceless in country. Many local inhabitants corroborated this view. They argued that Equinoxe was the only station that echoed the masses' opinion.

According to Ako, government's decision to close down Equinoxe Radio / TV is political and was definitely not unconnected with the ruling CPDM bid to amend Article 6.2 of the Constitution. He noted that it is for example ridiculous for any one to claim that Equinoxe Radio, which is one of the oldest private radio stations in the country, has been operating for seven years illegally. 

Asked about the declaration by the Minister to the effect that Equinoxe TV / Radio Group had not paid its FCFA 100 million caution to operate, Ako said it was true. He, however, explained that: "the Minister of Communication had notified us on December 28 to pay the FCFA 100 million caution to operate. We wrote back, proposing to pay in instalments, but he refused. However we were expecting him to give us directives, but surprisingly it happened that the TV and Radio had to be shut down."

Ako revealed that the Minister accepted payment in instalments from two other private stations, STV and Canal 2. "STV paid less than FCFA 50 million, while Canal 2 paid about FCFA 30 million and that was accepted for the TV and Sweet FM which is owned by the same person.

And so we (Equinoxe Group) don't understand why when we proposed paying FCFA 20 million, that is five instalments, and more so for five consecutive months, the minister refused".

Ako also claimed that Littoral Governor, Francis Fai Yengo, ordered the closure of Eqinoxe Radio, which was not on included in the minister's decision.  "When they sealed the TV on Thursday, the police requested management to follow them to the Governor and get a copy of the decision, which the minister signed authorising the Governor to close down the TV.

But we got there, the Governor the police officers why the radio was allowed to continue functioning. One of the senior police officers pointed out that the minister's decision ordered the sealing of the TV, and so they had no warrant to seal the radio. But the Governor ordered Wouri SDO to seal the radio. But the SDO too responded that he had no such authorisation".

STV / Canal 2 Barred From Showing Images

When the police showed up to close Equinoxe TV and Radio hundreds of sympathisers and journalists all came to manifest their solidarity the Equinoxe Group.   But for pleas of the management of the Equinoxe on the first day, over 200 irate bendskin riders would have gone on a full scale confrontation with the police.

Neither STV nor Canal 2, which filmed the scene outside Equinoxe on February 21, showed any of the images. The Post learnt from sources in Canal 2 that the local administration warned them not to show any of images. Local Douala inhabitants have heavily criticised both media houses claiming that they are agents of the regime.